Supreme Court orders California to release tens of thousands of prison inmates

LA times ^ | May 23, 2011 | David G. Savage

[Mount Athos]

The Supreme Court ordered California on Monday to release tens of thousands of its prisoners to relieve overcrowding.

It is one of the largest prison release orders in the nation's history, and it sharply split the high court.

In dissent, Justice Antonin Scalia called the ruling "staggering" and "absurd."

Now, he said, the majority were ordering the release of "46,000 happy-go-lucky felons." He added that "terrible things are sure to happen as a consequence of this outrageous order."

[Hotlanta Mike]

And with no NFL Season the outlook for the fall season is a CRIME WAVE...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2723832/posts

[WOBBLY BOB]

Bill Mexico for the half that probably belong to them.

[freekitty]

Their condition upon release. They have to vote socialist.

[SECURE AMERICA]

Can we release the convicts near your famlies homes Mr and Mrs Justices?

[stuartcr]

What happens in the meantime while the state is waiting for the money?

[ejonesie22]

Not really a change is it?

[WOBBLY BOB]

I like option stated in post 24.

Seriously, CA is screwed.

[Osage Orange]

From 12k feet..........

[monkeyshine]

Why do they need to be released? Why not move them to other prisons, maybe even outsource to other states?

California needs to choose - a $20 billion “speed rail” that only developers and politicians really want, or jails and prisons to house criminals.

And I will add, the federal government has been derelict. They need to send the states the cash costs of educating, providing health care, and imprisoning criminal illegal immigrants.

[Tribune7]

Crime wave coming!

Absolutely not!!! California has gun control so the people will remain safe because none of these released felons will get guns!!!

[Mr. Wright]

“46,000 happy-go-lucky felons? No. 46,000 Obama Voters!!!

BTW - Alito, Thomas, Roberts and Scalia were the dissenters.
If BHO gets re-elected, we are in BIG trouble at the Supremes!!

[rightly_dividing]

The prisons are over crowded, so what? They're criminals, let them suffer. Prison is not supposed to be a place for them to enjoy. Blame O for not building more prisons with his Spendilus monies.

[bossmechanic]

And some hold up CA as the bellweather of liberal compassion and progressive ideals.
I almost feel bad for the “good” people of CA - conservative, hard working, innovative, visionary - that
must suffer the liberal policies of majority. But, until good people get mad enough to rid their state of Feinstein, Brown, Pelosi, Newsom etal, they’re gonna have to just suck it up and vow to work harder next time.
The “Golden State” is in fact painted lead and sinking fast.

[WOBBLY BOB]

some hold up CA as the bellweather of liberal compassion and progressive ideals.

...so was Detroit.

[soycd]

No where in the report did I see which perps they were going to release. Is there no criteria for release?

[Condor51]

On the upside, maybe Charlie Manson will finally get out. After all he never actually killed anyone himself. It's not his fault his girlfriends were loony.

Or maybe poor Sirhan Sirhan will finally be let loose. He's served more time in prison than any other convicted murderer in California for shooting (allegedly) just one person.

And we have all those 'poor disadvantaged minorities' who are doing 30 years for selling a single Rock of Crack. I'd bet they've all found God in prison and can't wait to find a nice job and start life over. They'd prolly even vote Republican.

Then we have all those brown people who were discriminated against by prejudiced white juries just because they had a few gang tattoos on their face and neck from when they were young and impressionable. By now I'm suuuure they'd make upstanding citizens as they are all very religious and good family men. They too would prolly all vote Republican as in their hearts they're all extremely conservative.

Lastly, they can release all those misunderstood white convicts who are allegedly in that Aryan Brotherhood thing. I'm sure that they only joined that group for protection against the really mean guys. They're not really racist manic killers you know.

So all in all I think that 'The Wise Latina' and that Butch in a Black Robe made the correct decision. Yep. It's a good thing that that ex ACLU lawyer, Ruth Buzzy Ginsberg was there to steer the majority in the right direction.

These prisoners have rights too ya know. And living in cramped prisons is inhumane and just encourages bad behavior from these really nice people who were wrongly or unjustly convicted.

[sr4402]

BTW - Alito, Thomas, Roberts and Scalia were the dissenters.

This means Bryer, Ginsburg, Kagan, Kennedy and Sotomeyor were for the decision blanketing California with Felons.

Way to go Liberals!

[Retired Greyhound]

Non-felons can’t even find work.

These unemployed felons will have to turn to crime to survive.

[Major Matt Mason]

Yeah, this will end well. Anyone thinking that Kennedy will be on the right side of the Obamacare issue might want to re-think that concept. If he can go along with something as ridiculous as this ruling, I don't see much hope of him being on the right side of the Obamacare battle.

[SgtHooper]

Just release them five miles off the CA coast. Or in the dessert along the Mexico border.