Partner, Rosen, Bien & Galyan
Partner at the San Francisco law firm Rosen, Bien & Galvan. He represented a class of mentally ill patients in the overcrowding case decided by the Supreme Court.
PROFILE
Michael Bien
Guest
FROM Michael Bien
Which Way, L.A.?
Supreme Court Orders California to Relieve Prison Overcrowding A majority of the US Supreme Court has ruled that California must reduce its prison population to relieve overcrowding that violates the Constitution. Dissenters claim that will mean 33,000 criminals loose on the street--while state officials are looking for ways not to release any prisoners at all. With the US incarcerating more people than any other nation, will other states face similar orders? Even many conservatives say we can’t afford more prisons. We’ll hear how Texas and other states found cheaper alternatives for punishing criminals while reducing crime and maintaining standards of common decency.
To the Point
Supreme Court Orders California to Relieve Prison Overcrowding A majority of the US Supreme Court has ruled that California must reduce its prison population to relieve overcrowding that violates the Constitution. Dissenters claim that will mean 33,000 criminals loose on the street--while state officials are looking for ways not to release any prisoners at all. With the US incarcerating more people than any other nation, will other states face similar orders? Even many conservatives say we can’t afford more prisons. We’ll hear how Texas and other states found cheaper alternatives for punishing criminals while reducing crime and maintaining standards of common decency.
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