Decrowding Debate: 1:0? 0:1?

Two important events have just occurred more or less simultaneously with regard to the decrowding debate.

First, the gutted prison reform plan, that will lead to the release of 17,000 inmates and the transfer of minor parole violators to local jails, has passed and is moving forward, for the Governor's signature.

And second, the Supreme Court has declined to grant a stay to the State with regard to the Plata/Coleman order. The State's arguments have been rejected, albeit not on the merits (that will be decided on appeal). CDCR will therefore have to come up with a decrowding plan for 40,000 inmates by Sep. 18.

We will elaborate later on the possible connection between these two events.