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Quinn has not said why his administration will not reinstate the program, although he said in October 2010 he was focusing on "alternative sentencing approaches." Spokeswoman Brooke Anderson confirmed he's working with the legislative group to "manage population numbers while continuing to incarcerate
-- for safety, rehabilitation, and punishment." Along with Reboletti, the panel meeting with Quinn's staff about a solution includes Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale and Sen. Michael Noland, D-Elgin. Each says he's open to options that keep the public safe but reduce the inmate population to make prisons safer and spare the state budget. The House Democrats' representative is parliamentarian David Ellis, the governor's office said. Dillard, a candidate for governor in 2010 and potentially again in 2014, said early release is not popular, given the shock of MGT Push. "My constituents want people locked up," he said. "They're tired of people who still should be locked up in the penitentiary (out) committing crimes." Nonetheless, he's open to ideas such as Reboletti's. Turner's bill would reverse the new 60-day minimum prison sentence requirement and give the Corrections director discretion to release anyone who has served 60 days behind any bars, including in county jails. Turner did not return repeated calls and an email seeking comment. Regardless of the method, something has to happen soon, Maki said. At Vandalia prison in June, John Howard visitors found dirty, stagnant water pooling on the floor of inmates' living areas. One dormitory, Building 19, at Vienna prison in September had rodent droppings and inmates complained of mice and cockroaches. Windows on two floors were broken and birds had built nests inside. "When you put nonviolent offenders in deplorable conditions you're not going to make this person better," said Maki, whose report blames Quinn and lawmakers who have cut corrections budgets. "Prisons are not typically uplifting places, but Building 19 was one of the most depressing things I've ever seen." ___ Online: Turner's bill is
HB3899: Illinois Department of Corrections: John Howard Association: ACLU prison reform report:
http://www.ilga.gov/
http://tinyurl.com/7f2wv4p
http://www.thejha.org/
http://tinyurl.com/3nuat86
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