Judges order state to release nearly 43,000 prisoners in next two years [Updated]

California’s prisons are so overcrowded that the state is violating inmates’ constitutional rights, three federal judges ruled today in a decision imposing a cap on the prison population that will force the state to release nearly 43,000 prisoners over the next two years.

The 185-page opinion also accused the state of fostering “criminogenic” conditions, compelling former prisoners to commit more crimes and feed a cycle of recidivism.

The effect of the judges’ ruling in two inmate challenges to their conditions dovetails with early-release proposals aired during last month’s heated budget debate in the state Legislature as lawmakers sought to close a $26.3-billion deficit.

The ruling by three federal judges stems from challenges by two inmates alleging that the state’s network of 33 prisons is so overcrowded that they are denied adequate health care and treatment of mental illnesses.

California’s prisons, designed to hold 84,000 inmates, house 158,000, much of the overflow contained in converted sports facilities arrayed with triple-tier bunks.  That exposes prisoners to infectious diseases, the lawsuits alleged, constituting cruel and unusual punishment in a system suffering a shortage of doctors, nurses and technicians.

U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson seized oversight of the prison healthcare network in 2006 and put a court-appointed receiver in place to carry out a thorough reform of the system, in which inmates were dying of curable or avoidable conditions at the rate of one a week. The current receiver, Clark Kelso, said in a recent interview that his staff was making progress in upgrading antiquated medical records-keeping and medication-dispensing, but that the fruits of those projects remained at least a year away.

In late July, during the heated debate over how to close a $26.3-billion shortfall in the state budget, California lawmakers passed $1.2 billion in cuts to the state prison system that envisioned some early releases of inmates. But they put off deciding specific details amid harsh resistance by law-and-order advocates who fear any mass release of prisoners would endanger public safety.

In a preliminary ruling issued by the three judges in February, the state was advised to reduce the prison population by about a third, meaning as many as 57,000 inmates would have to be moved out of the state facilities over a two- to three-year period.

Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown denounced the earlier ruling as “the latest intrusion” of the federal courts into the state’s affairs, and he is expected to appeal today’s ruling.

[Updated at 3:38 p.m.: Chief Deputy Atty. Gen. Jim Humes said the office was “still digesting” the decision and state lawyers were discussing with the governor’s office how to comply with the judges’ order for a plan to be produced within the next 45 days to achieve the prison population reduction target.

“This order doesn’t release anybody from prison, it just orders the state to come up with a plan,” Humes said of the judges’ ruling. “We have no immediate plans to appeal this particular order, but there would definitely be thought given to appeal any order that would ultimately order releases.”]

--Carol J. Williams

Comments

[southernbabe]

I am a counselor in an in prison substance abuse treatment program. Without any program or follow up there is a 79% chance inmates will return to prison. That rate drops to 29% when they go through our program and attend a six month after care upon release. In after care they are helped to get their drivers license, social security cards, job search, transportation and medical care. They are given clothing, toiletries, food and housing. They attend groups daily and are encouraged to get jobs. We hold a percentage of their wages so when they get out they are able to find a place to live and have money for rent and deposit. These are the inmates that should be included in the early release program. I invite you to come tour our facility and talk to our participants. Email me if you are interested.

[ladykaterberry]

Is the public really this blind? I suggest these "lock em up & throw away the key" types, should educated them selves before making stupid remarks & passing judgement. The order clearly states that only non-violent, non-serious & non-sex offenders will be released.
This means sex offenders will stay in prison. The CDCr & law makers have failed to act responsible & the basic needs of the inmates r not being met. Inmates have died & the Gov has done nothing. Doing nothing by definition is negligence. This didnt happen overnite, in 2004 prob 66 was to amend 3 strikes. Arnold used scare tactics & lied to the people. 3 strikes was not amended. Educate yourselves, know what is really going on. & dont be surprised when u learn that the Govenor is a lier.

[MLM]

This is a misleading headline.

[rhoadie]

The majority of violent inmates will never be rehabilitated - they just become better at avoiding police. People don't commit murders and rapes because they don't have jobs. They do it because they think that they'll get away with it. Period. The death penaqlty will not stop someone who thinks they can kill and escape prosecution, but it will stop the ones who get caught from doing it again either inside OR outside prison walls.

I'm leaning toward a new type of prison ONLY for violent criminals and sexual predators:
Puit them all in a converted stadium and provide enough food and water for 1/2 to survive. Let them prey on each other - not on me or my family.

[june]

We would save millions of dollars per year if we just made Death Row move.Get it going on a more consistant basis. If you look at just the cost of keeping a Death Row inmate behind bars, the cost is astronomical.The idea of someone being kept example Mahummad/Malvo,Tookie Williams,Manson,I could go on although Mahummad and Williams are at rest.It just makes no sense. If you've been given a death sentence. The state should just comply. It's does nothing but add to the benefit of the people, the state,and the economy.Give'm the damn shot already.