Just as opposition to the proposed prison hospital in Camarillo was about to reach a boiling point, Federal Receiver J. Clark Kelso said he would slam the brakes before the project gets rolling.

After an onslaught of criticism, Kelso said Feb. 3 he would modify his $8 billion prison hospital plans by eliminating mental health care from the proposed facilities, which includes the proposed prison hospital near Camarillo.

The change would cut the number of proposed prison hospitals statewide from seven to three, bumping Camarillo’s hospital off the list of the top three locations.

Kelso disclosed the recommendations amid ongoing criticism by state Attorney General Jerry Brown and the administration of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger over building prisoner facilities that would include accommodations such as therapy rooms, basketball courts and landscaping.

On Jan. 28, Brown called on the federal district court to terminate Kelso’s receivership — and his $8 billion prison construction plan — on the grounds that they violate federal law.

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