Elected officials from throughout California have pledged to fight a court order that requires the state release an additional 10,000 prisoners.   Many believe this will cause spikes in crime in all areas of the state.

The battle between the courts and state prisons has been going on for years.

Federal judges feel that overcrowded conditions is a violation of inmates' constitutional rights.   They had preciously ordered California reduce inmate populations to an extent that prisons are not operating at more than 137.5% capacity.

The state has almost complied.  Gov. Jerry Brown points out that inmate overcrowding has been drastically reduced.  He also says that major improvements have been made to both healthcare and mental health care within the state's detention facilities.  His office feels the problem has been adequately addressed.

A three-judge panel disagrees.  They have given the governor until Dec. 31 to comply.  If he fails, they said, he will be found in contempt.   The judges say there are a large number of inmates who are eligible for good-time credits.  They feel these individuals are candidates for early release.

Sheriffs from each county in the state believe this would be an assault on public safety.  San Diego probation officers said that if the plan goes through they expect more than 800 offenders will be thrown into their care.   A spokesperson said they do not have adequate resources to handle this type of surge.

Santa Clara County Probation Chief Sheila Mitchell reportedly feels the same way.  She is concerned that these offenders will not be properly supervised.

State prison officials say they can reduce inmate capacity by 7,000 before the end of the year.  This can be done by keeping some inmates in out of state facilities, leasing space from county jails and sending more low-level offenders to work in fire camps.  The judges said this plan falls short.  They have argued this number is overstated and have ordered California to comply with their order.

Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern said the governor's office is planning to appeal this issue to the US Supreme Court.  If that effort does not succeed, he and the CA State Sheriff's Association is working on a Plan B.  Planning is needed, he said, because releasing 10,000 inmates will increase rates of crime.