By John Woolfolk
Mercury News
SACRAMENTO — A federal court order for California to shed some 10,000 inmates from its bulging prisons has set up an epic confrontation with state officials who argue it will usher a surge in crime.
The order came after years of legal wrangling between federal judges and state officials over prisons so crowded the courts say they violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Governors have tried various schemes to appease the courts -- Arnold Schwarzenegger sent inmates to private prisons out of state and Jerry Brown’s “realignment” lets nonviolent offenders serve their time in local jails instead of the state penitentiary.
But a federal three-judge panel this week said it’s not enough and demanded the one thing California authorities have resisted: Early release of thousands of inmates for good behavior by year’s end. Brown is expected to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. State and local officials throughout California condemned the order as an assault on public safety.
“The arrogance of these judges is outrageous,” said state Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber. “The safety of every Californian is put at risk by this irresponsible decision, and it must be challenged. There are other solutions.”
Full story: State officials fight 10,000 inmates’ release, ready backup plans