This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F307, F308, F309, F310, F311, F312, F313, F314, F315, F316, F317, F318, F319, F320, F321, F322, F323, F324, F325, F326, F327, F328, F329, F330, F331, F332, F333, F334, F335, F336, F337, F338, F339, F340, F341, F342, F343, F344, F345, F346, F347, F348, F349, F350, F351, F352, F353, F354, F355, F356, F357, F358, F359, F360, F361, F362, F363, F364, F365, F366, F367, F368, F369, F370, F371, F372, F373, F374, F375, F376, F377, F378, F379, F380, F381, F382, F383, F384, F385, F386, F387, F388, F389, F390, F391, F392, F393, F394, F395, F396, F397, F398, F399, F400
Findings 10 findings
Recommendations 5
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R1Page 67A secure medical wing at CRMC
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R2Page 67Concern over Valley Fever
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R3Page 67Status of federal health receivership FY 08-09 Fresno County Grand Jury Report #4 – Pleasant Valley Prison Page - 2 of 6 57 3/25/2009 A SECURE MEDICAL WING The Coalinga Regional Medical Center currently has no secure medical wing for prisoners from PVSP. Our investigation revealed that when inmates need hospitalization, they are transported to Bakersfield Community Medical Center, approximately one hour away. PVSP has contracted for twenty beds on the fifth floor of the Bakersfield hospital. When these beds are filled, inmates are transported to local hospitals in the surrounding area by correctional staff. This situation greatly impacts staffing and budget at PVSP. There continues to be support from the Coalinga community for a secure wing at Coalinga Regional Medical Center. However, California’s current budgetary problems will impede this effort. VALLEY FEVER Valley Fever is widespread in the Coalinga area. This infection is caused by a fungus that lives in certain arid-type soils. Its spores are released into the air when the soil is disturbed by wind, farming, construction, and other activities. It is an ongoing concern that affects the health of both inmates and staff. Prior to 2003, the prison did not maintain records on Valley Fever. Testimony to the grand jury reported thirteen Valley Fever related deaths in the 2005-2006 years, three deaths in 2007, and no deaths in
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R4Page 68The Receiver has created a program to reduce drug costs by aggressively managing the pharmacy program and will begin an audit of providers and hospitals to find ways to reduce costs of specialty and hospital care,
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R5Page 68An audit system has been in place since November 2008 to track patient- inmates’ access to health care. CONCLUSION The prison population exceeds the bed space for which Pleasant Valley State Prison was originally designed. The location of this prison has increased health risks, adversely affecting both inmates and staff. While medical treatment for Valley Fever has improved, the location of the prison in this area, along with serious budget constraints, make this an ongoing problem. Individual prisons and staff have limited options since they are under the Federal Receivership. The Federal Receiver’s recommendations will be difficult to implement given the current California budget deficit.