It could happen here:
The Supreme Court, in a narrow 5-4 decision, has an upheld an injunction by a three-judge panel ordering California to release about 46,000 inmates -- more than one-fourth the state prison population -- over the next two years to relieve overcrowding.
The decision was written by Justice Anthony Kennedy and backed by the court's liberal bloc. At issue was whether federal judges had the power to order the release of state prisoners as a necessary means of curing a constitutional violation.
Things aren't as bad here as they are in California (is any issue in any state as bad as it is in California?), but prison overcrowding has become an issue. Unless legislators can be persuaded to fund more prison space (doubtful) or state officials can find a way to ease county prosecutors' "soft on crime" concerns about prison reform (possible), we're headed for a showdown. The sudden release of thousands of criminals wouldn't exactly be tough on crime.
Comments
It seems to me that all 46,000 inmates should be released into the Peoples Republic of San Francisco which is home to the California Supremes.
That solution will insure that the most socialistic society in all of America will be there to provide health care and sustenance in the form of generous welfare and fat wallets. There will be no danger to the ex-cons because guns are outlawed in this sanctuary city beside the bay.
I'm with Gad, drop 'em all in Nancy's front yard.
Gentlemen:
Make that a third person in agreement.
How about dropping them off in grabill where there is no hate.
Who's the hater in Grabill Andrew, Souder I assume?
No, I mean where there is no hate. So the early-released felons will be greeted by a sympathetic, love-your-neighbor as you would love yourself community.
AJ
I use the "would I want them as neighbors" test. Using that criterion, I see no problem with letting the non-violent drug offenders out. They never should have been jailed in the first place. That probably won't empty enough cells to solve the entire problem, but it would be a start.