Kern County has agreed to set up an Admission, Evaluation, and Stabilization center at Lerdo Jail for inmates with medical and mental health issues. Detentions Lt. Anthony Gordon told Supervisors last week the Department of State Hospitals wants to triage those who’ve been found incompetent to stand trial.

DSH will pay $9.8 million to lease 60 hospital beds and cover staffing costs for three years starting January 1st.

Suzanne Grant