STOCKTON - Jay White had an infectious smile on his face. You might say he was feeling golden.The color of his smock designated him a caretaker of the sick, a job he says gives him purpose and brightens his days behind institution walls.
"It makes me feel like less of a burden," White said. "And it makes me feel like I'm a part of something good."
As part of the "Gold Coat" program at the newly built prison medical facility in Stockton, White's duty is to assist debilitated prisoners with everyday activities, such as pushing wheelchairs and filling out paperwork.
The California Health Care Facility is the largest prison medical center in the nation, built to house the state's sickest and terminally ill inmates in response to a federal court order that mandates the prison system provide a constitutional level of health care.
Admissions to the institution were recently halted by a court-appointed medical receiver following reports of inadequate conditions.
But while prison officials work out the problems, the facility is moving forward with launching programs for those currently on the grounds.
About a week ago, the prison system's Golden Coat program was expanded into Stockton to provide assistance to prisoners in need and employment opportunities to those more able.
Through the program, the facility employs 42 inmates who have medical conditions that still allow them to work.
Other state institutions have on average about 15 inmates wearing golden smocks, but given the unique need of the Stockton facility, it is expected to eventually employ nearly 100 in the program.
"We will probably have the most in the state," said Associate Warden Ernie Facio, who also is the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator. "We have a higher level of guys who are older, and their medical conditions don't allow them to be as mobile as before."
The facility currently houses about 1,345 inmates, but that figure is expected to increase to 1,700 after admissions resume and more inmate patients are transferred there.
Facio said Gold Coat workers are evaluated for eligibility based on their disciplinary history, behavior, education level, physical ability and other criteria.
In a housing unit on Friday, Dennis Littleton prepared to take Benny Jones, 61, to dialysis in his wheelchair. He first filled out paperwork for Jones.
The trip was only yards away from the unit, through an outdoor corridor and to the dialysis clinic. But without the assistance for Jones, a paraplegic, rolling the wheels of his chair with arthritis-stricken hands would have been painful and cumbersome.
"We need all the help we can get," Jones said. "It's definitely a plus to have that type of assistance. That way, we don't have to keep bothering the nurses and the (nurse assistants) all the time, and they can do their jobs."
The way Littleton sees it, the Gold Coat system is a win-win.
"This is a little paycheck," Littleton, 58, said. "And it keeps you busy all day, you know what I'm sayin'?
"If they need my help to clean up, I'm there. I write stuff for them. I push them (in their wheelchairs)."
Littleton, a diabetic, was transferred to the facility after having chest pains. The work is not too heavy and the environment is calmer, he said.
Walking along the corridor, 57-year-old Jay White was on standby to respond to calls for help.
White spoke positively about the facility's progress in fixing problems of inadequate medical care and unsanitary conditions.
The alternative for those being treated at the facility, White said, are general population prisons where there are stabbings and other violence.
"That's not happening here. People are being assisted in a hospital setting," said White, who receives diabetes care. "That can't be anything but good."
On Friday, operations seemed to run smoothly, and the Stockton facility appeared clean during a tour with The Record.
The reopening of admissions is still pending.
White also spoke highly of the Gold Coat program, calling it a unique experience.
"I feel different when I wake up. I have a smile on my face," White said. "And I look forward to going in and helping, because I know I'm making a difference."
Contact reporter Jennie Rodriguez-Moore at (209) 943-8564 or jrodriguez@recordnet.com. Follow her at www.recordnet.com/courtsblog and on Twitter @TheRecordCourts.
Source: Recordnet.com
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