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Article: HIGH COURT UPHOLDS FINES ON PUERTO RICO FOR JAIL OVERCROWDING
- Article from:
- The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)
- Article date:
- March 20, 1990
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright (null) The Boston Globe. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court rejected the advice of 31
states yesterday as it left intact $30 million in fines against
Puerto Rico for failing to relieve prison overcrowding.
The justices, without comment, refused to disturb rulings
that the government of the island commonwealth had failed to
respond fast enough to a federal judge's order that the
overcrowding cease.
Most states are under similar court orders to improve prison
conditions.
Officials for 31 states told the high court that such strict
enforcement of federal court penalties could delay voluntary prison
reforms.
The court issued orders in more than 200 cases yesterday as
it returned from a two-week recess. ...