County rejects mentally ill prisoners with no records

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this week to reject mentally ill prisoners released by the state to the probation department without receiving mental health records in advanced."With less than two weeks before the inmates arrive, the county is bracing for a catastrophic fiscal hit and a spike in crime," said Supervisor Michael Antonovich. "The state's funding methodology is a veiled attempt to balance its own budget on the backs of counties across the state. It's stupid for the state to provide enough funding for only 1,600 jail beds when as many as 8,200 beds may be needed in the first year alone." In addition to requesting a direct phone call to the governor's office during closed session, the Board's motion also gave county counsel authority to file legal action against the state.

********** Published: September 22, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 23