Report: Preventable Deaths in Calif. Prisons Fell in 2009

Fewer preventable deaths occurred among California's prison inmates in 2009, compared with the previous three years, according to a new report from the office of California's federally appointed prison medical receiver. The report found that 46 preventable deaths occurred last year, down from 66 in 2008 and 68 in 2007. A preventable death refers to a case in which better medical care might have prevented or postponed the inmate's death.

• "Fewer Preventable Deaths Among California Inmates" (AP/San Jose Mercury News, 9/8).