Inmate Suicide, Suicide Attempts Not Being Properly Handled By Calif. State Prisons

Inmate suicides and suicide attempts are not being properly handled by California State Prisons, according to the State Auditor. 

The Auditor's report says the average suicide rate at California-run prisons is significantly higher than the national average for other state-run prisons.

It found the rate within the state's women’s prisons has increased over the last four years with most suicides occurring at the California Institution for Women in San Bernardino County.

The increase followed an influx of more dangerous prisoners from another facility.

The report says the transition wasn't handled properly, and the Department of Corrections is not following through on plans to handle both suicides and attempted suicides.

Auditor Spokeswoman Margarita Fernández says the report calls for state lawmakers to hold Corrections accountable.

"We felt it was important that the legislature require them to report annually on what their progress is towards some of the goals that they have, what the numbers are, what they're doing in response to some of these attempts and suicides," says Fernández.

The Department of Corrections says there have been no suicides at CIW so far this year.

It says the report focuses on areas where improvements have been and continue to be made.