Brown v. Plata (related to prison conditions)

Brown v. Plata was a landmark Supreme Court case in 2011 that addressed overcrowding in California's prisons. The Court ruled that the conditions were so poor that they violated inmates’ Eighth Amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment. The decision mandated the state to reduce its prison population significantly to improve health care and living conditions for inmates. This case highlighted issues of overcrowding and inadequate medical care, emphasizing the need for humane treatment within the prison system, ultimately setting a precedent for the rights of incarcerated individuals across the United States.