Schwarzenegger intends to appeal examination of prisons

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday signaled his intention to appeal a federal court decision ordering a special judicial panel to examine severe overcrowding in California’s prison system.

The governor’s action comes a day after the chief judge of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals created the three-judge panel, following the recommendation of two federal judges.

The panel will be charged with examining how overcrowding is affecting inmate healthcare, mental health, services for the disabled and other prison operations. Among the possible remedies are a cap on California’s inmate population and early release of some prisoners.

The panel could start meeting before the governor’s appeal is considered.

If it does, “We will show the panel the aggressive efforts being made by the administration to address prison overcrowding, explaining why a prison release order is not necessary,” Schwarzenegger spokesman Bill Maile said.