 In 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]
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