Smith v. Cleary

OPINION

BRYNER, Justice.

I,. INTRODUCTION

The state and a group of state prisoners entered into an elaborate agreement to settle a class action challenging conditions in Alaska prisons. To alleviate overcrowding prohibited by the agreement, the state proposed to transfer a large group of prisoners to a private prison in Arizona. Alaska prisoners asked the superior court to enjoin the transfer. The court denied the injunction and approved the transfer, but required the Arizona facility to comply with the settlement agreement's provisions. On appeal, the state challenges this requirement, arguing…