Document: 430 U.S. 325 97 S.Ct. 1191 51 L.Ed.2d 372 Michael V. COSTELLO et al.v.Louie L. WAINWRIGHT, Secretary, Florida Department of Offender Rehabilitation, al. No. 76-5920. March 21, 1977. PER CURIAM. 1 The motion to strike the brief United States as amicus curiae is denied. 2 Petitioners in this case attacked over-crowding Florida's prisons violative Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause Eight Amendment, made applicable by Fourteenth. A single District Judge found substantial constitutional violations issued a preliminary injunction ordering Division Corrections either reduce inmate population or increase prison capacity. In an en banc decision, Court Appeals for Fifth Circuit vacated Court's decision on ground that only three-judge court convened accordance with 28 U.S.C. § 2281 could order such relief. 539 F.2d 547 (1976). 3 On its face, complaint initiated involved no challenge state statutes regulations. There was thus reason at beginning litigation suspect should hear case. See Moody v. Flowers, 387 97, 104, 87 1544, 1549, 18 643 (1967); Baxter Palmigiano, 425 308, 98 1551, 47 810 (1976); Morales Turman, 322, 1189, 368. granting equitable relief, however, contemplated one means relieving system's unconstitutional overcrowding possibility officials would have violate their statutory duty continue accept custody prisoners properly committed them. concluded relief be granted court, apparently because it viewed possible temporary suspension otherwise valid statute effectuate federally mandated equivalent finding unconstitutional. 4 We cannot agree. applicability written turns whether alleged unconstitutional, not remedy administrative behavior ultimately impinges duties imposed under concededly statutes. To hold require postponing threshold question jurisdiction until merits controversy had been fully resolved broad outlines discerned. Section embodies wasteful uncertain mandate. 5 Since we conclude exercised full case, his judgment is, therefore, reviewable (28 1291), petition writ certiorari leave proceed forma pauperis granted, reversed, remanded further proceedings consistent opinion. 6 It so ordered.

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