California Needs Prison Health Care Reform Essay - 2216 Words

California, the Golden State, a place where people from around the world come to for the consistent sunshine, and fun-filled atmosphere. California is home to the largest prison population in the United States. There are now thirty-three institutions, which house approximately 170,000 inmates. According to the Legislative Analysts Office (LAO), it costs taxpayers about $51,000 per a year to house, feed, clothe, and provide healthcare for each inmate. The health care costs about $16,000, which includes, dental, medical, speciality care, mental health, and medication for each inmate (LAO, 18 Mar 2010). This state is in the worst financial crisis it has ever experienced. With vital programs being cut, teachers being†¦show more content†¦In Plata, et al. v. Arnold Schwarzenegger, this class action lawsuit addressed the violation of inmates rights to adequate health care. Believe it or not, prison inmates are the only Americans with the constitutional right to health care (Kaplan). The inmates housed in Californias prison system were subjected to substandard health care, which lead to further illnesses and/or death (Plata, et al. v. Schwarzengegger). As a result, the state lost this court case and the inmates began to receive above the minimum standard of health care. Because it is so broad, the 8th Amendment is left open for interpretation . Many would perceive, free from cruel and unusual punishment, as free from torture, or free from being fed bread and water. Due to the inmates not receiving adequate health care, and dying as a result, judges decided the inmates were subjected to cruel and unusual punishment. Inmates are required to have health screenings, diagnostic tests, surgeries as needed, and a full array of medical services, at no cost. This guaranteed health care is not provided to law-abiding citizens. Why is this? Is it because quality inmate health care is vital to public health? Who decided what type of care and how much will be spent on inmate health care? Definitely not the taxpayers. In addition to federal law, the California Code ofShow MoreRelatedThe California s Prison System990 Words   |  4 PagesCalifornia’s prison system is facing a number of infrastructure changes as a result of a judicial decision that came down from the United States Supreme Court, Governor of California et al v. Plata et al. California’s prison system was deemed inadequate and dangerous due to severe overcrowding which led to â€Å"needless suffering and death† (Rogan, 2012, 262). The court ruled that the State must reduce the number of inmates in California’s thirty-three state prisons. This ruling came about after twoRead MoreThe Treatment Of The Mentally Ill1581 Words   |  7 Pagesin a prison cell to be forgotten. 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