Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/10pdf/09-1233.pdf
Page Number: 83.0

Cite as:  563 U. S. ____ (2011) 

9 

ALITO, J., dissenting 

beds  for  mentally  ill  prisoners,  and  an  outmoded  records
management system).

Is  it  plausible  that  none  of  these  deficiencies  can  be
remedied  without  releasing  46,000  prisoners?    Without 
taking  that  radical  and  dangerous  step,  exam  tables  and 
counter  tops  cannot  properly  be  disinfected?    None  of  the 
system’s  dilapidated  facilities  can  be  repaired?    Needed 
medications  and  equipment  cannot  be  purchased  and 
used?  Staff  vacancies  cannot  be  filled?    The  qualifica-
tions  of  prison  physicians  cannot  be  improved?  A  better 
records  management  system  cannot  be  developed  and 
implemented? 

I do not dispute that general overcrowding contributes to 
many of the California system’s healthcare problems.  But 
it  by  no  means  follows  that  reducing  overcrowding  is  the 
only or the best or even a particularly good way to allevi-
ate  those  problems.  Indeed,  it  is  apparent  that  the  pris-
oner release ordered by the court below is poorly suited for 
this purpose.  The release order is not limited to prisoners 
needing  substantial  medical  care  but  instead  calls  for  a
reduction  in  the  system’s  overall  population.  Under  the 
order  issued  by  the  court  below,  it  is  not  necessary  for 
a  single  prisoner  in  the  plaintiff  classes  to  be  released.
Although  some  class  members  will  presumably  be  among 
those  who  are  discharged,  the  decrease  in  the  number  of
prisoners needing mental health treatment or other forms
of  extensive  medical  care  will  be  much  smaller  than  the 
total  number  of  prisoners  released,  and  thus  the  release 
will  produce  at  best  only  a  modest  improvement  in  the
burden on the medical care system. 

The  record  bears  this  out.    The  Special  Master  stated
dramatically  that  even  releasing  100,000  inmates  (two-
thirds  of  the  California  system’s  entire  inmate  popula-
tion!) would leave the problem of providing mental health 
treatment “largely unmitigated.”  App. 487.  Similarly, the
Receiver proclaimed that “ ‘those . . . who think that popu-