Compliance Officer Appointed To Oversee Potential Prisoner Releases
On Wednesday, a three-judge panel appointed a former California appellate judge to oversee the release of state prison inmates in the event that Gov. Jerry Brown's (D) administration fails to meet a court-ordered deadline to reduce the prisoner population, AP/U-T San Diego reports (AP/U-T San Diego, 4/9).
Background
In 2006, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson ruled that federal oversight of the state prison system was needed after determining that an average of one inmate per week died as a result of medical malpractice or neglect.
However, the judges in February granted California two additional years to reduce the prison population, extending the deadline to Feb. 28, 2016. The judges said no additional delays will be granted.
As part of the decision, the judges also mandated the appointment of a compliance officer who can release inmates early if the state fails to meet certain benchmarks or the 2016 deadline (California Healthline, 2/11).
Details of Appointment
This week, the judges appointed Los Angeles attorney Elwood Lui, a former state appellate judge, as the compliance officer to ensure that the state prison population is reduced.
The position is unpaid, but Lui will receive reimbursement for any expenses he incurs.
If California officials fail to meet interim population goals ahead of the 2016 deadline set by the court, Lui will oversee the release of some inmates based on public safety risks and other considerations (AP/U-T San Diego, 4/9).
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