LA Plan To Build New Jail For Mentally Ill Inmates Draws Protests
Activists say the money spent on construction and operation should instead go to mental health programs in the community.
KPCC:
LA Activists Mount New Effort To Block Mental Health Jail
It was an unusual scene on Temple Street outside Tuesday’s meeting of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors: 100 grey metal bunk beds were blocking traffic. They were there as part of a protest against the county’s plans to build a new jail in downtown L.A. for mentally ill inmates. (Stoltze, 9/26)
In other news —
San Jose Mercury News:
Mentally Ill Defendants Jailed Due To Hospital Bed Shortage; Contra Costa Judge Issues Sanctions
A Contra Costa Judge had harsh words — and a $17,400 bill — for the California Department of State Hospitals, saying the agency was violating the due process rights of dozens of severely mentally ill county jail inmates. ... Data released to Bay Area News Group last year showed more than 450 California jail inmates were awaiting hospital beds as of June 2016. (Gartrell, 9/26)