Thursday, November 12, 2009
 
sponsored by 

Quinn calls early prisoner release necessary

Send a link to a friend

[November 12, 2009]  CHICAGO -- Gov. Pat Quinn is trying to allay concerns about the state releasing prisoners early to save money. He stressed that the inmates being let go will be electronically monitored and had not been violent offenders.

HardwareIn the coming weeks, about 1,000 prisoners will be released -- some up to a year early -- because of the state's financial troubles.

"We're going to do this because we do have financial challenges, but at the same time we're going to do it in a way that always protects the public," Quinn said Tuesday.

Some police, prosecutors and crime victims have opposed the plan.

The early releases could save the state about $5 million because it costs an average of $5,000 a year to feed, clothe and care for an inmate, according to Department of Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith.

A first batch of 62 prisoners are to be released this week, Smith said. They are coming from adult transition centers and were already near the end of their sentences, she said.

Smith said it could take months to release all 1,000 inmates.

Quinn said the prisoners getting out early had not committed crimes against people. He said, hopefully, they had learned their lesson in prison and won't return to criminal activity.

"We want them to lead productive lives when they return to society," Quinn said.

But Quinn acknowledged that he will be blamed if any of the prisoners released early goes astray and commits a violent crime.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Library

  

< Top Stories index

Back to top


 

News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching and Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries

Community | Perspectives | Law and Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health and Fitness | Teen Scene
Calendar | Letters to the Editor