Judge finds treatment of California’s mentally ill inmates ‘horrific’

[alp227]

Source: Sacramento Bee

Following weeks of graphic court testimony and chilling videos of inmates writhing in pain as they were blasted with pepper spray, a federal judge has found that the use of force against mentally ill inmates in California prisons is unconstitutionally harsh.

Citing the “horrific” videos he viewed during hearings last fall and a wealth of other evidence, U.S. District Judge Lawrence K. Karlton on Thursday ordered state officials to continue revising the use of force procedures deployed against the state’s 33,000 mentally ill prisoners and to limit the use of solitary confinement as a means of disciplining such inmates.

The 74-page order cites the “overall significant progress” that the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has made in modifying its use of force policies, especially new limits on how and when pepper spray can be used against mentally ill inmates.

But, with such inmates comprising more than 28 percent of the roughly 120,000 prisoners in state facilities, Karlton said further improvement is needed. The judge said he found unacceptable the treatment reflected in six videos played in open court of inmates screaming in agony as guards pepper-sprayed them for infractions such as refusing to come out of their cells.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/04/10/6314571/federal-judge-orders-prison-officials.html

[pipoman]

1. Many of whom would be patients instead of inmates

if raygun wouldn't have pulled funding for mental health care.

[n2doc]

2. Fuck You, Ronald Reagan

He dismantled the California mental health system. This is the end result.

[alp227]

5. Oct. 30, 1984 NY Times article about that

How release of mental patients began - this was published one week before the 1984 election.

[Kelvin Mace]

9. True, but Jerry Brown

is fighting tooth and nail to prevent cleaning up the prison system.

[n2doc]

11. Jerry also was Gov after Reagan

And did nothing. He was too busy running for president, I guess.

Modern Jerry is a mixed bag for sure, but would have been a Republican back in the 70's with his policies.

[They_Live]

3. That's right!

and it became a trend. Bad idea.

[mike_c]

4. the only problem with being an atheist...

...is that I'm denied the satisfaction of believing that Reagan suffers eternally in hell.

[olddad56]

6. I served on a jury once in Judge Karlton's court.

Very impressive judge. Very down to earth. Very appreciative of the jury. I think he has already announced his retirement, which is too bad for the people living in his district.

[MindMover]

7. I am mad as hell ......

"The judge said he found unacceptable the treatment reflected in six videos played in open court of inmates screaming in agony as guards pepper-sprayed them for infractions such as refusing to come out of their cells."

[WhiteTara]

8. This is the legacy of Reagan. This and the horror

that is our air traffic control.

[jwirr]

10. We should be absolutely ashamed that the mentally ill are being housed in prisons. We are back to

the days our ancestors left Europe to get away from this kind of bull.