Riverside County Settles On Inmate Health Care, Cost Unclear

RIVERSIDE (AP) -- Riverside County will add staff and use telemedicine in its jails to settle a lawsuit that alleged inadequate medical and mental health care for inmates.

The tentative deal with the Prison Law Office was announced Friday and must be approved by a federal judge.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise says the deal will expand medical services for the county's 3,900 inmates by using telemedicine, including telepsychiatry.

This means sick inmates will consult with doctors in remote locations using video conferencing.

The Desert Sun says county officials say the settlement will cost "millions of dollars annually," although the exact cost remains unclear.

The Berkeley-based Prison Law Office has sued numerous California counties over jail conditions, as well as the state prison system.