Despite California being a Democrat-led state, prison reform hasn't been as successful as proposed. Inspector General Amarik Singh released a report on prison medical care earlier this month, with results of the majority of adult prisons in California scoring underperforming levels.

This report had been conducted since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, where healthcare become a focus in many conversations on all legislative levels. Services were found to be denied and delayed.  

According to Los Angeles Daily News, “Areas needing special care: medication management was inadequate in 33 prisons; “health care environment” in 30; diagnostic services in 23; and administrative operations in 21. On the positive side, health information management was proficient or adequate in 31; access to care in 28; and provider performance and specialized medical housing in nine.”

11 recommendations were made in the report, including including “developing and implementing measures to ensure that staff timely make available and administer medications to patients.”

Federal overlook is a big part in how the prison health system is played you, being established in 2006.

Another report was made by the Legislative Analyst's Office, with delegation of 21 prisons going back to state control, but independent oversight will be a leading guide in this lengthy process.

Prison health care reform should be the top priority of the governor and Legislature when they return in January.