Inmates, Officials Await State Action on High Court Ruling
State officials and prison inmates are waiting to see how lawmakers will comply with a Supreme Court ruling ordering California to reduce its prison population by more than 33,000 in part because of inadequate medical and mental health care. So far, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) has approved a plan to have inmates convicted of non-violent crimes serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prisons. Some state officials and advocates of prison reform say that the ruling ultimately could improve the prison system, including the health care services it offers.
- "California Prisoners, Politicians Ponder Impact of Supreme Court Ruling" (Michels, "The Rundown," PBS NewsHour, 7/13).