California Three Judge Panel Inmate Release Tentative Ruling

February 9, 2009 This tentative ruling released by a panel of three Federal Court judges orders California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to release 58,000 non-violent prison inmates. The judges determined that releasing the prisoners was the only way that CDCR could reduce overcrowding in order to bring the system into compliance with the Coleman and Plata class action lawsuit settlements. This tentative ruling was given by the judges to allow the state time to prepare for what will likely become an official ruling . . .