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California''s court-appointed prison healthcare supervisor recommended raising the salaries for medical professionals in prisons, a move that could cost an annual $24 million if the plan is approved.
Medical care has been one of the biggest issues facing the state''s prison system, according to U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson. An average of one inmate is killed as a result of negligence or medical malpractice every week.
In February, Henderson, in an effort to alter a system he said was “broken beyond repair, appointed an overseer who would makes changes to improve healthcare in prisons.
Robert Sillen, who used to head the public hospital system in Santa Clara County, proposed increasing medical workers wages between 5 percent and 64 percent, which he says will help retain qualified employees and curb vacancies.
While the plan, if approved by Judge Henderson, would cost the state as much as $24 million, Sillen claims it could actually help save money. According to Sillen, vacancies will quickly be filled and the state wouldn''t have to depend so much on temporary personnel who command larger hourly wages.
“These salary adjustments are long overdue as a first step to attracting and retaining healthcare professionals in the effort to turn the prisons around and improve quality of care for inmate patients,” Sillen said.
Among the proposed salary increases, pharmacists would see the largest boost—a 64 percent increase. Doctors would get double their current salary up to $300,000 and nurses would see a 35 percent increase. Other medical professionals would also see increases.
California''s inspector general said that prisons do an inadequate job caring for inmates and Henderson calls the current prison healthcare system poor and unconstitutional.
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