The judge also raised serious concerns regarding the high rates of suicide in California state prisons, which included the review of court-appointed consultant Dr. Raymond Patterson, and investigation into the use of solitary confinement for inmates with a mental illness.

Of the 5,000 inmates currently housed at CMC, approximately 25 percent are in some sort of mental health services program, Furster said. The new mental health care facility will be an additional tool in providing inmates with the mental health care they need in a more focused environment.

"They get a lot more one-on-one with psychologists or psychiatrists," Furster said.

"And a lot more direct observation by staff including nursing staff and recreational therapists. It's a very high level of mental health treatment."

The building, designed by Sacramento-based Nacht and Lewis, will occupy what was once a parking lot and the expansion of the prison perimeter will also include three guard towers to monitor the new space.

The facility will ultimately assist in recidivism rates, Furster said. By acknowledging the mental health issue and learning how to handle those issues accordingly, inmates have a greater chance of rehabilitation, he explained.

"Because it treats people with mental illnesses, one thing it does is it has the potential for inmates to get in, get really good care and understand their mental illness, which will make them stay on their medication," Furster said. "When they're released, they'll be able to take their medication and understand what kind of issues that they have and hopefully that will help them not reoffend."

The increased mental health care to California inmates will not only benefit rehabilitation efforts and prison operations, Furster said, but society as a whole.

"Ultimately that becomes less cost for the community less cost for the department of corrections and increased public safety," Furster said.