California’s Prison Health Worker Crisis Exposes State Mismanagement and Threatens Public Safety

California’s prison health care system, despite featuring some of the highest-paid public employees, is unraveling right before our eyes. A recent state audit uncovers a shocking paradox: while certain prison doctors earn over $500,000 annually, vacancy rates in critical health positions have surged past 30%, with Salinas Valley State Prison hitting a staggering 50% unfilled roles. How Did Generous Pay Fail to Retain Essential Staff? One might ask—if wages are so high, why are vacancies so persistent? The answer exposes deep-rooted mismanagement and misplaced priorities in Sacramento. The state has poured nearly $600 million saved from unfilled positions into temporary...