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Podcasts Take Two
CA State Auditor investigates spike in suicides for female inmates
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Aug 21, 2017
Listen • 6:49
CA State Auditor investigates spike in suicides for female inmates
Women make up just 4 percent of CA's prison population - but account for 11 percent of inmate suicides.
A playground at the visitation center at the California Institution for Women in Chino. Children are allowed to see visit their mothers, but someone must bring them. Cari Hernandez said she had been afraid to bring her cousin's newborn to see her in prison until the guardianship paperwork was complete.
A playground at the visitation center at the California Institution for Women in Chino.
(
Mae Ryan/KPCC
)

Women make up just 4 percent of CA's prison population - but account for 11 percent of inmate suicides.

California prisons have a much higher suicide rate than other states - 22 self-inflicted deaths per one hundred thousand inmates. The average for other states is around 15 per one hundred thousand.

And the state’s female inmates are disproportionately impacted. From 2013 to 2014, women were just 4 percent of the state’s prison population but accounted for 11 percent of suicides.

These statistics prompted a state audit aimed at figuring out what caused this spike.

Take Two spoke with Margarita Fernández, Chief of Public Affairs for the California State Auditor.

To listen to the full segment, click the blue play button above.