Posted on 10/08/2008 10:59:30 AM PDT by SmithL
The conflict between California and federal judges over operation of the 170,000-inmate prison system could evolve into one of those epic legal struggles that involve bedrock constitutional principles and wind up in an historic Supreme Court decree.
Or not.
While some conservative Republicans contend that the state should strenuously resist the creeping judicial takeover of the prison system, even defying a judge's orders, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and most Democrats are just pleading for more time to comply.
By the same token, federal Judge Thelton Henderson scolded state officials this week for not complying with demands from receiver J. Clark Kelso for money Kelso says is needed to upgrade prison health care but stopped short of holding those officials in contempt, which would be the next step.
Kelso wants $250 million immediately as a down payment on as much as $8 billion to build new prison health facilities, with another $3 billion by next year. "He needs the money to run it and improve it," Henderson said as he repeatedly dismissed objections from the state's attorney.
Legislation that would comply with Kelso's demand stalled as lawmakers wrestled with an overdue, deficit-ridden state budget and the Legislature left Sacramento last month without passing the prison bill largely because Republicans refused to provide enough votes.
"They're not even starting, they're not even on the road where I want to go," Henderson said of reluctant lawmakers.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
Then again, Ruth bader Gingsburg comes to mind.
The prison system should sign contracts with local hospitals. They should send a team each time a prisoner needs to go to the hospital.
That shouldn’t cost the state $8 billion dollars.
Good grief! $8 billion dollars?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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