Governor Jerry Brown has been turned down by the US Supreme Court once again. He won’t get a hearing on a federal order to reduce prison overcrowding in the state. Katie Orr reports from Sacramento.
The Supreme Court has declined to hear Brown’s appeal, attempting to overturn a federal court order to reduce prison overcrowding in the state. California has until the end of January to comply with the order, but could be given an extension if it develops a suitable long-term plan to reduce overcrowding.
In the meantime the state has been ordered to negotiate with the plaintiffs in the prison lawsuit. Mike Bien is one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys.
“The conditions in the prisons remain unconstitutional, dangerous for my clients, prisoners with mental illness, and for many, many prisoners with serious medical problems," says Bien.
In a statement, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation says it’s disappointed with the Supreme Court’s rejection, but says California will continue to build on past reforms.