CYA REFORMS vs

GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER TOURED A CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY FACILITY TODAY IN STOCKTON, AFTER WHICH HE MADE SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS. 2 RECENT BEATINGS OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS BY CYA STAFF, LEAD TO A LAWSUIT THAN WAS SETTLED. THE GOVERNOR SAID STATE OFFICIALS HAVE AGREED TO TAKE SEVERAL STEPS TO IMPROVE PROBLEMS IN THE CYA SYSTEM. SANTA CRUZ COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY BOB LEE IS ENCOURAGED BY THE NEWS. DA LEE WILL BE MONITORING CYA IMPROVEMENTS WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCE JUVENILE OFFENDERS FROM OUR AREA, AS WELL AS ALL OF CALIFORNIA. CYA OFFICIALS SAID THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR MOST OF THE YEAR ON DEVELOPING PLANS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS IN THE LAWSUIT. AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT, PLANS MUST BE EVALUATED BY A GROUP OF OUTSIDE EXPERTS BEFORE THEY ARE FILED WITH THE COURT IN JANUARY. ALSO THE AGREEMENT CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE HIRING OF A MEDICAL DIRECTOR TO SUPERVISE HEALTH CARE IN THE CYA, AND DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR CLASSIFYING AND HOUSING INMATES ACCORDING TO SECURITY RISKS. ALTHOUGH NEW TO THE CYA, THESE MEASURES ARE CONSIDERED STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE IN MOST U.S. PRISON SYSTEMS.