Coleman v. Newsom is the ongoing class action lawsuit brought by RBGG on behalf of all persons incarcerated in California state prisons with serious mental illness. The case challenges inadequate mental health care systems that place incarcerated persons at serious risk of death, injury and prolonged suffering.
On January 6, 2023, Chief Judge Kimberly Mueller of the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California issued an order inviting the United States Attorney General to resume participation in the case. The Judge pointed to “two ongoing serious violations” that prompt the invitation. The first, is failure to provide sufficient mental health staff to care for persons with serious mental illness in CDCR custody. The second is failure to implement necessary suicide prevention measures despite years of reports identifying the needed precautions. The Judge requested a response from the United States Attorney General within 30 days. The order is attached here.