IL Proposes Advance Notice on Early Prisoner Releases
Prosecuting attorneys would receive advance warning about the early release of prison inmates under legislation a House committee approved Monday. News reported in the Daily Herald.
As proposed, the Department of Corrections would have to notify the relevant state’s attorneys at least 14 days before an inmate could be released early. State law presently proscribes only that state’s attorneys get “reasonable” notice before an inmate is let out before the scheduled date.
“And it’s my understanding that that led to situations where in fact, 24 hours, 12 hours (or) instantaneous with the release, that these offices were being notified,” said state Rep. Emily McAsey, a Lockport Democrat.
The amendment approved Monday comes just weeks after Gov. Pat Quinn publicly apologized for a secret, money-saving measure that allowed the early release of more than 1,700 inmates – several of whom already are charged with crimes committed after they were let go.
McAsey said prosecutors in the county where the crime occurred and where the prisoner is released, if different, should be notified.
“So we may have a situation where the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case, the inmate went into the Department of Corrections and is serving time in Will County, and in some situations based upon the legislation, the Will County State’s Attorneys Office also would be given notice,” McAsey said.
The amendment approved Monday also will require inmates to serve at least 60 days in the state correctional system before review for early release.
State Rep. Jim Sacia, a Republican from Pecatonica, said he would like to see another addition that would require victims, too, be notified.
The proposal now heads to the full House.
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