Judges: Calif. Prison Reforms Would Fail

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Judges: Calif. Prison Reforms Would Fail

Tuesday July 24, 2007 2:16 PM

By DON THOMPSON

Associated Press Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California's $7.8 billion prison
reform plan will only make conditions worse behind bars, two
federal judges said in ordering the creation of a judicial panel
to recommend better ways to ease prison crowding.

The move, which could lead to the capping of the inmate
population or the early release of some prisoners, drew criticism
from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who said he would appeal.

-snip-

Last spring, lawmakers agreed to build 53,000 new prison and
jail cells as part of an ambitious $7.8 billion program to address
a crisis that has been building for decades, but the judges
rejected the plan.

Karlton and Henderson said the state can't hire enough guards
and medical professionals to provide proper care and oversight
for the inmates it has now, let alone the thousands more who
might be added through the building program.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6801449,00.html