Which Way, L.A.?
The Supreme Court on California State Prisons
A divided US Supreme Court has created uncertainty and some fear by ordering California to reduce the prison population by some 30,000 inmates...
By Warren Olney • • 52m ListenA divided US Supreme Court has created uncertainty and some fear by ordering California to reduce the prison population by some 30,000 inmates. The majority said overcrowding has caused "needless suffering and death," while the dissenters said public safety will be at risk from a wave of criminals released to the streets. Will county jails provide a solution? What about reducing some of the nation's toughest sentencing laws and finding alternatives to prison for less serious offenders? We hear opposing views. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu wows them on Capitol Hill.
Banner image: A California Department of Corrections officer at Chino State Prison locks up the overcrowded dayroom of Sycamore Hall that was modified to house prisoners on December 10, 2010 in Chino, California. Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
In this episode
2 storiesCrime, Punishment and Constitutional Rights in California
According to yesterday's ruling by the US Supreme Court, California has two years to reduce the prison population by more than 30,000 inmates. The five-vote majority said overcrowding is so bad it violates the constitutional protection against "cruel and unusual punishment," even causing unnecessary deaths.
Read the story26 minNetanyahu Wows Them on Capitol Hill
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu got more than two dozen standing ovations today in his 50-minute address to a joint session of Congress. Several times, he promised compromises with the Palestinians--but always with firm pre-conditions. We hear some conflicting assessments.
Read the story27 min
