Prison health workers are among the best-paid public employees. Why are so many jobs vacant?

"Despite spending hundreds of millions of dollars to fill vacant medical and mental health positions at prisons and state hospitals, California has little to show for it, according to a new report from the state auditor. Job vacancy rates have increased since 2019 at the three facilities examined in the audit, as has the state's reliance on pricey temporary workers. Atascadero State Hospital, Porterville Developmental Center and Salinas Valley State Prison had health-related vacancy rates topping 30% during fiscal year 2023-24."

"The vacancy rates persisted despite targeted bonuses and wage increases that prison health workers received in contracts and under court order during the Newsom administration. Those included $42,000 bonuses for prison psychiatrists in a 2023 contract and more recently $20,000 bonuses the state had to dole out to mental health workers through a long-running prisoner rights lawsuit. At face value, some state health workers are comparatively well-compensated. All of the 55 prison employees who earned more than $500,000 in income last year were doctors, dentists, psychiatrists or medical executives, according to state controller data."

California spent hundreds of millions of dollars to fill vacant medical and mental health positions at prisons and state hospitals but vacancy rates have increased since 2019 at three examined facilities. The state's reliance on expensive temporary workers has grown. Atascadero State Hospital, Porterville Developmental Center and Salinas Valley State Prison had health-related vacancy rates over 30% in fiscal year 2023-24; Salinas Valley exceeded 50%. High vacancies correlate with more on-the-job assaults, mandatory overtime and staff turnover. Targeted bonuses and wage increases, including $42,000 and $20,000 awards, did not resolve shortages. Some clinicians receive high pay and pensions, yet local shortages persist.

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