Psychiatric Medication Use In California Jails Rose From 16% In 2012 To 20% In 2017

The use of psychiatric drugs in California jails rose from 16% in March 2012, to 20% in February 2017. This is a 25% increase in the 45-county sample studied, from an average of 10,999 inmates in 2012-2013 to 13,776 inmates in 2016-2017.

These findings were reported in "How Many Incarcerated Individuals Received Psychotropic Medication in California Jails" by Konrad Franco, David Panush, and David-­Maxwell-­Jolly. The researchers analyzed data from the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) to estimate the number of jail inmates who receive psychotropic medication and assess the relative representation . . .