A federal judge has ruled state prison officials failed to properly care for inmates infected with the hepatitis C virus. U.S. District Court Judge Mark Walker on Friday ordered the Florida Department of Corrections to treat inmates who test positive for the viral infection. The 12-week treatment costs about $37,000 per patient. As many as 20,000 inmates may have Hepatitis C. Michelle Glady, Florida Department of Corrections spokeswoman, said the state has not yet decided whether to appeal the decision.