MARTINEZ (CBS/AP) — Contra Costa County will spend $250 million to extend staffing and enhance well being care at its jails after a lawsuit alleged inmates with bodily and psychological issues have been being uncared for, together with some who have been doubtlessly suicidal.
The county reached an settlement Thursday calling for spending the cash over 5 years, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday.
“These adjustments will save numerous lives, scale back the struggling of individuals confined within the jails and improve public security,” mentioned Corene Kendrick, an legal professional with the Jail Regulation Workplace, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of some inmates.
Martinez Detention Facility. (Google Road View)
The county has round 800 inmates in its jails.
Throughout negotiations over the case, medical specialists employed by the county criticized its psychological well being system and procedures for drug and alcohol therapy, the Chronicle mentioned.
One skilled mentioned the jails lacked correct cells and therapy for doubtlessly suicidal inmates, based on the report.
One plaintiff mentioned he had accidents that made strolling painful however was denied a cane for 3 months. One other inmate with psychological sickness mentioned guards refused to take him to medical employees regardless of him repeatedly urgent an emergency medical button in his cell.
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