Skelton: Brown correct to target federal control of prisons

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Gov. Jerry Brown’s plans for the state prison system will be a key part of his budget proposal as he seeks to end federal control of inmate healthcare.

In Thursday’s column, George Skelton says the governor’s stance is both good politics and good policy.

Brown argues that the overcrowding problem in state prisons has been solved. Judges have previously said the facilites were so stuffed with inmates that conditions and medical care were unconstitutional.

‘Our prisons are not overcrowded,’ Brown said on Tuesday. ‘Enough already!’

Writes Skelton, ‘A state politician will score every time taking on federal judges and felons.’

He also says there’s evidence Brown is right.

‘Those gyms no longer are clogged with bunks,’ Skelton writes. ‘They’re full of basketballs and hoops.’

All of Skelton’s columns are here.

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