Perez Vows Actions on Prison Overcrowding

The state has been ordered to reduce overcrowding in multiple federal court rulings. But Perez says people shouldn’t worry about ten thousand inmates suddenly being released.

“We’re going to look at every housing opportunity that we have, consistent with the requirements of the courts,” Perez said. “But we will not release a single additional prisoner.”

Finding more space for inmates will be expensive. And Perez says the money will likely come from the state’s reserve and could cut into other programs California would like to fund.

State leaders have long maintained California has done enough to reduce overcrowding. The courts have consistently disagreed and at one point threatened to hold Governor Jerry Brown in contempt if he didn’t cooperate with rulings ordering him to reduce the prison population.