California Prison Crowding Back Up, Brown’s Lawyers Say

In a monthly progress report to U.S. District courts on Monday, Gov. Jerry Brown's (D) lawyers acknowledged that prison crowding has increased. According to the report, the state's 33 prisons are now at more than 150% crowding, while three California prisons are at or near 175% crowding. The lawyers said the governor is "drafting legislative language" aimed at reducing prison crowding. However, the state argues that prison medical care has improved despite the overcrowding.

• "California's Prison Crowding Is Growing, State Report Says" (St. John, "PolitiCal," Los Angeles Times, 6/17).