By Don Thompson
The Associated Press via San Jose Mercury News
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Medical care remains below acceptable levels in more than two-thirds of California state prisons despite the billions of dollars spent by taxpayers, the prison system’s independent inspector said in a report Wednesday.
Just nine of the 33 adult prisons met minimum health care standards, according to the review, which is the first to survey all the facilities. Still, that finding is an improvement from an initial review of half the prisons last August, which gave passing grades to just two of 17.
A court-appointed receiver took control of inmate medical care in 2006 after a federal judge found that poor care was causing the death of an average of one inmate each week. The receiver has since increased salaries, hired more staff and improved medical facilities.
Full Story: Report: Inmate health care remains poor in California