Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_90-cv-00520/USCOURTS-caed-2_90-cv-00520-1036/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

RALPH COLEMAN, et al., 

Plaintiff, 

v. 

GAVIN NEWSOM, et al., 

Defendants. 

No. 2:90-cv-0520 KJM DB P 

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE 

 

 As directed by the court, ECF No. 6546, the Special Master has filed a report on the 

status of transfer of Coleman class members into Department of State Hospitals (DSH) inpatient 

beds designated for the use of those class members. ECF No. 6565. The Special Master reports 

that on March 16, 2020, DSH closed admissions to Coleman class members, “shutting off access 

to three of the more appropriate therapeutic milieus (DSH-Atascadero, DSH-Coalinga and [Patton 

State Hospital] PSH) available to CDCR’s patients who are clinically and custodially eligible for 

placement in the hospitals.” ECF No. 6565 at 8. He also reports that DSH is continuing to admit 

Offenders with a Mental Health Disorder (OMHDs). Id. at 4. “Inmates who meet OMHD criteria 

are mandated by California state law to receive mental health treatment at DSH hospitals when 

imposed by the Board of Parole Hearings as a special condition of parole. According to counsel, 

Case 2:90-cv-00520-KJM-SCR Document 6572 Filed 04/03/20 Page 1 of 2
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DSH’s position was that they were required by law to continue to accept OMHDs.” Id. Counsel 

confirmed the foregoing, and the undisputed fact that there are empty Coleman-designated beds 

and a wait list of Coleman class members designated for inpatient mental health care, at a status 

conference before the undersigned earlier today. 

 DSH is neither admitting Coleman class members to inpatient care, nor is it 

discharging Coleman class members back to CDCR when treatment is complete; class members 

are only being discharged, if at all, to parole release. Id. In his report, the Special Master describes 

well the cascade of ways in which DSH’s closure will affect Coleman class members in need of 

inpatient care and the inpatient remedy in Coleman that has taken so long to achieve. This court is 

unaware of any legal authority that permits the rights of OMHDs, constitutional or otherwise, to be 

prioritized over the constitutional rights of Coleman class members. 

 Good cause appearing, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that within five calendar days 

from the date of this order defendants shall show cause in writing, if any they have, why this court 

should not order defendants promptly to admit Coleman class members to Coleman-designated

inpatient beds in DSH consistent with the protocols established for admission of OHMDs to DSH 

facilities. Plaintiffs may file a statement of their position within the same time frame. 

DATED: April 3, 2020. 

 

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Case 2:90-cv-00520-KJM-SCR Document 6572 Filed 04/03/20 Page 2 of 2