The man in charge of medical care at California's prisons has unveiled his plan to eliminate what he calls “unconscionable human suffering” of inmates. And he says it won't be cheap. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.
If you ask Robert Sillen to name the most important part of his plan, he has no trouble answering.
Sillen : The number one priority is recruitment and hiring of qualified people.
His 50-page action plan includes more hiring and training of staff. He also plans to create electronic medical records. Sillen wants to form special medical response teams to visit prisons experiencing a health crisis. And he plans to tighten up budgeting and accounting practices.
As for how much it might cost? Sillen says he doesn't know exactly, but it won't be cheap.
Sillen : It's going to cost more than the state wants to spend, and it always has -- that's why they never spent it, and that's what got them into the trouble they're in now.
A federal judge appointed Sillen last year to take over the state's prison medical system.
In Sacramento, I’m Marianne Russ.
