Skip to main content

The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered California to release more than 30,000 inmates over the next two years or take other steps to ease overcrowding in its prisons to prevent "needless suffering and death." California's 33 adult prisons were designed to hold about 80,000 inmates and now have about 145,000.

Open this photo in gallery:

A gynmasium was converted into dorm space for inmates by using bunk beds at the California Institution for Men state prison in Chino, California, on June 3, 2011.Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

1 of 11
Open this photo in gallery:

Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

2 of 11
Open this photo in gallery:

Inmate Jason Rutherford, 37, sits in his cell with other prisoners housed in the recreation room.Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

3 of 11
Open this photo in gallery:

California has taken steps to relieve overcrowding, including sending thousands of inmates to prisons out of state and passing a law this spring giving counties jurisdiction over lower-level offenders. (Source: AP)Lucy Nicholson/Reuters/The Associated Press

4 of 11
Open this photo in gallery:

Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

5 of 11
Open this photo in gallery:

Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

6 of 11
Open this photo in gallery:

Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

7 of 11
Open this photo in gallery:

Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

8 of 11
Open this photo in gallery:

An inmate sits in a cage inside a California prison. Cages are for prisoners waiting for medical appointments, counselling, or permanent cells.Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

9 of 11
Open this photo in gallery:

Inmates Anthony Turner, 46, (L) who said he is serving 25 years to life for a three strikes offenses, and Daniel King, 23, sit in their cell.Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

10 of 11
Open this photo in gallery:

Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

11 of 11

Interact with The Globe