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Involuntary Transfers Near as Prison Crowding Problem Continues

The state has resumed sending inmates to private prisons out of California. Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesman Bill Sessa says nearly forty inmates who volunteered for the transfer

The state has resumed sending inmates to private prisons out of California. Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesman Bill Sessa says nearly forty inmates who volunteered for the transfer were sent on their on way Friday.

Sessa : They actually were bused out of the state early this [Friday] morning to the Florence detention center, which is near Phoenix. And in the meantime we are looking at other inmates we also will move.

Sessa says involuntary transfers could take place this month -- and they're determining possible candidates. The transfer of inmates has been challenged in court by the prison guards union.

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However a judge recently allowed for the transfers to continue while the case makes its way through the court. It's expected the corrections agency will send out 8,000 inmates in the next two years. 

Sessa says moving inmates out of state will help free up space in prisons and alleviate a chronic overcrowding problem. The governor recently signed legislation to fund the construction of new beds.