Click photo to enlarge
FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2006 file photo, Inmates are housed in... ((AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File))
SAN FRANCISCO—The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday paved the way for the early release of nearly 10,000 California inmates by year's end despite warnings by Gov. Jerry Brown and other state officials that a public safety crisis looms if they're forced to open the prison gates.
A majority of justices refused an emergency request by the governor to halt a lower court's directive for the early release of the prisoners to ease severe overcrowding at California's 33 adult prisons.
The decision was met with concern by law enforcement officials in the state.