The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on Thursday publicly released a proposal asking a federal judge to approve building mental health facilities at seven state prisons, the AP/Bakersfield Californian reports.
The proposal seeks the approval of U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Karlton and would replace a $600 million plan last year to build mental health facilities at three prisons (Thompson, AP/Bakersfield Californian, 2/1). The original plan was drafted by the administration of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and approved in April by Karlton (California Healthline, 4/28/06).
According to the new proposal, the mental health facilities would not be built until Robert Sillen, a federal receiver in charge of reforming the state's prison system, determines the locations for his proposed new inmate medical centers. Sillen this spring is expected to release details of his proposal.
The department said cost estimates for its proposal would be released if it is approved by Karlton (AP/Bakersfield Californian, 2/1).
Schwarzenegger in December announced a prison expansion plan that would include $1 billion for the construction of medical, dental and mental health facilities throughout the state (California Healthline, 12/22/06).