Tags: California Prisons, Mental Health, Federal Court, Prison Reform
Federal Takeover of California’s Prison Mental Health System
A federal judge has ordered a court takeover of California’s troubled prison mental health system, appointing former Federal Bureau of Prisons director Colette Peters as receiver. Peters has been given four months to devise a plan to provide adequate mental health care for tens of thousands of incarcerated individuals.
Appointment of Colette Peters
Senior U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller identified Peters as the designated receiver, citing her experience as Oregon’s first female corrections director and her track record in reform. Peters previously led the Federal Bureau of Prisons for 30 months and oversaw the closure of a scandal-ridden women’s prison in Dublin, California.
Michael Bien, a lawyer representing prisoners with mental illness, acknowledged Peters as a capable choice despite past disagreements over her tenure at the BOP. California corrections officials also recognized her qualifications, while Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has yet to comment. The judge has given interested parties until March 28 to contest her appointment. Peters is set to receive a prorated salary of $400,000 annually.
The Crisis in California Prisons
With approximately 34,000 incarcerated individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses—over a third of California’s prison population—the state has been unable to provide adequate care. Federal judges typically resort to appointing receivers only after all other efforts have failed.
This move follows a similar federal intervention in California’s prison medical system nearly 20 years ago, when another judge appointed a receiver to overhaul inadequate medical services. The current receiver, J. Clark Kelso, was initially considered for this new role but withdrew, along with two other candidates.
Ongoing Legal Battles and Prison Conditions
State officials argue they have made improvements over the years, but prisoner advocates highlight persistent issues, including an alarmingly high suicide rate—31 suicides per 100,000 prisoners, nearly double that of federal prisons. Reports indicate that understaffing has led to delayed or absent mental health care, with some prisoners going months without appointments before taking their own lives.
In June, Judge Mueller held top prison officials in contempt of court and imposed fines exceeding $110 million due to noncompliance. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently upheld her contempt ruling but required a reassessment of the fine calculations. Additional fines could follow if California fails to improve psychiatric inpatient staffing and suicide prevention measures.
The Path Forward
Despite ongoing legal challenges, Judge Mueller determined that appointing a receiver was the only viable option to enforce compliance. She noted that state officials’ continued appeals and delays had made further litigation ineffective. The receiver’s appointment signals a major shift in the oversight of California’s prison mental health system, with potential long-term implications for incarcerated individuals and the state’s correctional policies.
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