California Prisons Spend Big On Anti-Psychotics For Inmates; Fear Of Lawsuits Cited
(CBS/AP) - While under federal court oversight, California's prison mental health system has been spending far more on anti-psychotic drugs than other states with large prison systems.
Figures compiled by The Associated Press through a state Public Records Act request show that California a larger percentage on the medication than other states.
While the amount has been decreasing in recent years, anti-psychotics still account for nearly $1 of every $5 spent on pharmaceuticals purchased for the state prison system.
The spending level has raised concerns about whether patients are receiving proper treatment.
J. Clark Kelso, the court-appointed authority in charge of buying prison pharmaceuticals, concluded that California's inmate mental health professionals appear to overmedicate their patients.
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