In the recent past, the number of prisoners has generally decreased in California, while the numbers of the ones with mental illness has continued to rise drastically. The external review shows that the inmate population has drastically reduced by 25%; however, the total count of inmates with Psychiatric Disorders in Prisoners has risen by 25% (Romano, 2017). The increase of prisoners who suffer from mental issues has raised questions. Thus, it is relevant to study whether the prisoners have the mentioned mental issue or the prison system is the cause of a drastic rise in these numbers (Romano, 2017). In this vein, it would be reasonable to focus on specific constitutional considerations and the related reforms.
One of the issues that those mentally challenged are facing is the poor community health treatment services they are receiving. There are not enough hospital beds for ill people, despite the argument that they should be treated as ordinary citizens (Romano, 2017). The complainants with psychological issues in state medical clinics are denied of the advantages of ongoing condemning changes. The majority of the peaceful prisoners have been deprived of privileges that have been put clear in the recent reforms of an early release for a particular crime (Romano, 2017). Several reforms were developed but have been said to leave behind prisoners with mental illness.
Coleman and Plata litigation (1991): In this reform, Plaintiffs filed suit in 1991 on behalf of a class that included all prisoners with major mental issues who are currently or possibly in the future imprisoned under the California Department of Corrections. “Redresses” recorded a claim against then-Governor Pete Wilson and others. The state was requested to lessen its jail populace to 137.5 percent of by and large plan limit in 2009, following long periods of ineffective intervention endeavors (Romano, 2017).
Then, there was Public Safety Realignment (2011): Assembly Bill 109, often known as “Public Safety Realignment,” was passed by the California legislature about Plata and Coleman litigation. The legislative process started California’s jail-reducing project began in earnest on January 1, 2019 (Romano, 2017). It put into effect several initiatives aimed at lowering the decreased jail population and enhancing the living conditions for convicts while dealing with both mental and physical issues.
The three Strikes Reform (2012): When California electors endorsed Proposition 36, they changed this Act’s criminal discipline resolution. The more significant part of the detainees denounced according to the reform were to serve life terms for peaceful offenses at the hour of their conviction (Romano, 2017). By Proposition 36, life sentences may just be implemented for critical or savage third strike wrongdoings.
Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act (2014): Proposition 47 set up a technique for the early arrival of people carrying out crime punishments for the assigned offenses except if the candidate introduced a danger to the overall population’s wellbeing. 36 Over 10,000 guilty parties sentenced for minor wrongdoings have been liberated from jail and province prisons because of the changes carried out before (Romano, 2017). Then, there is the Senate Bill 260 followed by 261. According to it, in any given circumstance, if the minority breaks the law Parole (2013-15) passed by the California legislature in 2013, the minors will receive early parole (Romano, 2017).
Further, there was also proposition 57, the Public Security and Rehabilitation Act (2016). The proposition grants early release to certain nonviolent inmates and instructs the California Division of rectification and Recuperation to expand opportunities for inmates to get time off their verdict by actively taking part in corrective prison programs.
The above reforms are constitutional issues that should be followed to ensure that mentally ill inmates will not be mistreated due to their state. The reforms are necessary so that if they are followed, the inmates are going to be safe. People should focus more on ensuring that mentally ill people do not increase in the prisons. Instead, everyone gets judged according to their crime without being discriminated against.
Reference
Romano, M. (2017). The prevalence and severity of mental illness among California prisoners on the rise. SLS Publications. Web.