A representative from Gov. Jerry Brown's office has confirmed the state is considering a plan that involves leasing about 4,600 prison beds.

The US Supreme Court recently upheld a previous decision that requires the state reduce its inmate population by 10,000 detainees by the end of the year.

Counties are trying to figure out how they're going to deal with a flood of parolees and law enforcement agencies have said they're worried about a spike in crime rates.

California is now scrambling to come up with a plan.  And that plan, it seems, involves leasing bed space from state and private prisons.

What's interesting about that, is that members of the state's prison guard union, who have often been outspoken against this type of arrangement, are now supporting it.  There is simply no other choice, they said, because no stone has been left unturned.

Now, the challenge relates to money.  Leasing bed space won't be cheap.  One facility has reportedly  submitted numbers in the $65 million range to house  approximately 560 inmates. The state is also looking into leasing 1,200 beds in a prison that's operated by CCA.

A similar plan is being considered with Alameda County's Santa Rita Jail. Sheriff Greg Ahern said he could take up to 500 inmates in as soon as two weeks.   He said he'd be looking to take detainees who have less than a year left.

His focus will be on education and rehabilitation.

If the current plans go through this will help account for about half of the court-ordered reduction. Officials have not said how they will move forward with the others.