A previous court order required California to release these prisoners to reduce problems in the system, but the state is challenging the ruling in court. The Supreme Court seemed poised to require the release after years of California refusing to comply with court ordered standards for its prisons.
A close majority of justices argued that the living conditions in the state system were inhumane, while others believed that the mass-release would cause crime and problems on the streets of California.
Two years ago, a three-judge panel ordered the reduction of prison populations to combat problems, but the state has been facing legal battles since the 1990s in defending its prison care and regulations. Justice Anthony Kennedy will likely be the deciding vote in a decision that could take several months to hand down.
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