Up to one of every three inmates currently in California prisons could be released over the next three years under a federal court order to ease overcrowding, Reuters reported Feb. 10.

A three-judge panel ordered that the state cut the prison population by up to 57,000 inmates; the state prison system is currently operated at twice its capacity, with three prisoners per cell and healthcare facilities inadequate to meet demand.

"There is no relief other than a prisoner-release order that can remedy the constitutionally inadequate medical and mental-health care," stated the panel led by Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt. "The state has a number of options, including reform of the earned credit and parole systems, that would serve to reduce the population of the prison to whatever percentage is ultimately determined to be appropriate without adversely affecting public safety."

As in the rest of the U.S., a significant portion of California's prison population is comprised of drug offenders, and advocates have called for greater use of drug courts and other programs that provide addicted offenders with treatment rather than incarceration.

California's budget crisis has hindered the state's ability to expand or improve prisons. The federal judges said the prisons must cut down to 120 to 145 percent of capacity within two to three years.

State officials vowed to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"This order, the latest intrusion by the federal judiciary into California's prison system, is a blunt instrument that does not recognize the imperatives of public safety, nor the challenges of incarcerating criminals, many of whom are deeply disturbed," said state Attorney General Jerry Brown. "There is no doubt that there is room for improvement. But significant progress has been made and is continuing to be made at a cost of billions."