Governor Defends Inmate Release Plan
Gov. Quinn Tuesday defended his plan to release up to 1,000 inmates, a step that begins this week and eventually could save the cash-strapped state $5 million a year. As reported in the Chicago Sun Times.
By the end of this week, 62 non-violent offenders who are within a year of their scheduled release dates will be freed in the first wave of Quinn’s early-release initiative.
“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 during an appearance in Chicago to announce the opening of a new veterans home.
Quinn said those released will be under “constant electronic monitoring” while on parole, and the governor expressed optimism that none of those being set free early will be a threat to society.
“Hopefully they learned their lessons in jail and won’t repeat their crimes,” Quinn told reporters.
His administration refused to divulge the names of those in the first wave of early releases.
Januari Smith, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Corrections, did not offer a basis under the state Freedom of Information Act to justify withholding the inmates’ identities.
“At this time it’s not being released through my office,” said Smith, who added that local law enforcement agencies have been notified who is being released early.
The administration has said that drug offenders and inmates convicted of non-violent property crimes are among those being set free early. Those with homicide or sex offense convictions are not eligible for early release under Quinn’s plan.
Those sent home early will be required to wear electronic-monitoring ankle bracelets and be assigned to parole agents, with whom they will have to meet at least once a month.
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