California's mentally ill prisoners moved three times more than other incarcerated people during 2016-2021.

About 9% of the overall prison population of 277,344 people were in the enhanced mental health program at least once.

Average transfers for people in the program at least once

5.01

Average transfers for those never in the program

1.51

Source: CalMatters analysis of Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation data. View and download here.

Note: Transfers include moves to county jail for court appearances, out-to-hospital for medical appointments, among other reasons. Each movement represents one transfer. For example, if an incarcerated person is ordered to appear in court and return to the institution, that is counted as two transfers.

Graphic: Erica Yee, CalMatters