Judge Orders New Segregation Policies for Mentally Ill Inmates

Segregating prison inmates who repeatedly break rules or turn violent isn't new in California. For years, the state has placed these inmates in special housing sections with multiple barriers between them and others. But the practice of isolating inmates whose bad behavior may be related to mental illness has come under fire following a rash of suicides and attempted suicides. A federal judge says segregation poses too great a risk for inmates with serious mental illness.