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UNITED STATES - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said yesterday he would consider releasing non-violent inmates to reduce overcrowding in the United States' largest prison system.
The statement came two days after a superior court judge blocked his plan to send about 5000 inmates to other states. California now houses 171,600 inmates in a system designed for 100,000.
In some prisons, murderers, thieves and molesters share triple-bunk beds in large rooms. Harsher penalties in recent decades, including a three-strikes law against repeat offenders, has contributed to a fast-growing and ageing population behind bars.
Schwarzenegger said he had discussed the issue with top state legislative leaders in a group known as the Big Five.
"In the Big Five meeting today there were discussions about the potential release of the old, feeble and sick who pose no threat to the public," he said. "To encourage debate about prison reform I will not automatically rule that out. However, I will not allow the early release of any felons as a means to address overcrowding."
Last month, the former action film star said he did not favour releasing criminals. Yet the court move this week, combined with the possibility of court intervention, has apparently spurred him to consider other options.
"We've got to take this seriously," Schwarzenegger said. "We must ask ourselves do we want the courts to release inmates and micromanage the system the way it's being done now, or do we want to take charge?"
- REUTERS
