Stacie L. Patterson Law Blog

In April of 2010, I posted a blog on the crisis of California's prison population.  Fifteen months later, the US Supreme Court has ruled to reduce the number of California inmates by more than 30,000 people.

With arguments ranging from the personal safety of California residents to the high suicide rates in California prisons, Justices felt strongly and had much to say on the matter.  Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, who was in the majority, commented that the California prison system produced "needless suffering and death."  Meanwhile Justice Alito, writing in dissent, thinks that "the majority is gambling with the safety of the people of California."  The Supreme Court ruled that the state's prison system is a violation
of the Eighth Amendment regarding cruel and unusual punishment.

There are more than 140,000 inmates housed throughout the California prison system.  State officials have two years to comply with the order.

If you are being investigated for a crime, call Attorney Stacie L. Patterson.  (619) 269-8074