Illinois Gov. Puts Prison Early Release Program On Hold

27 Comments

Gov. Pat Quinn has suspended a program that allowed hundreds of inmates to be released early by earning credit for good behavior.

Quinn said Sunday that his office will review the Illinois Department of Corrections’ “meritorious good time” release program, which came under fire after an analysis showed some inmates with past convictions for drunken driving, battery and weapons violations spent mere weeks behind bars before release.

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Under the program, corrections chief Michael P. Randle may grant any inmate 90 days’ worth of credit based on their behavior while behind bars.

The report by the Associated Press found hundreds of inmates were given the good-conduct credit immediately on entering prison, and more than 850 inmates have been released under the program since September.

The good-credit program is separate from a policy previously announced by Quinn to release 1,000 nonviolent offenders early if they are within the last year of their sentence.

That move was aimed at saving hundreds of millions of dollars as the state faces a massive budget deficit. With a prison population of about 45,545, Illinois taxpayers spend more than $1 billion a year on corrections.

Inmates convicted of murder, sex crimes or domestic violence, or who have active orders of protection against them do not qualify for release under Quinn’s plan.

Reed wouldn’t say if Quinn felt Randle was being too lenient in issuing the good conduct credit, adding “the governor has great respect and regard for Director Randle and his judgment.”

A spokeswoman for Randle didn’t return calls or e-mails.

The biggest critics of the release program were state prosecutors, who worried that it threatened public safety and put residents at risk.

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blossomlynn1

about 3 years ago

2 Comments

you should give back there good time very soon
TellerDep

over 3 years ago

2812 Comments

For capital crimes ,I still say we need the death penalty ,expedited promptly then we wont have to worry about so manyearly releases!
HapkidoKa

over 3 years ago

1098 Comments

OK so now Quinn has put a halt to the Directors early release plan but nobody has put a halt to Quinn's early release plan that will let 1,000 convicted felons free 1 year early on Quinn's authority and not earned good time. I'm still disgusted by IL sentencing laws where it's rare for any inmate to serve 100% of his the time given by the judge (a 1 year sentence equals 61 days here). So while I am glad that Quinn has put his shoes on, he still has to get off his rear and walk in the right direction!
IamQnMutha

over 3 years ago

548 Comments

The Gov also says that if elected, he will continue the moratorium on the death penalty. Once again, convicted cop killers will continue to see sunshine while our fallen brothers never will.
184retired

over 3 years ago

3804 Comments

A politician makes a correct choice....Amazing...But then again elections are coming up here soon
Anonymous

over 3 years ago

A baby step in the right direction.
Anonymous

over 3 years ago

This one gets a ten.
Jonas

over 3 years ago

38358 Comments

Anyone who finds the Jesus I read about in the Bible, realizes there are consequences for wrong behavior.
Jonas

over 3 years ago

38358 Comments

This is too good to be true. Hopefully our IL heroes will be safer. Maybe more politicians will start thinking with their brains instead of their careers.
05gpgtp

over 3 years ago

10 Comments

That's good news. They're all there to serve their time, forget all this early release/good behaviour crap.
Sheriff_1

over 3 years ago

8032 Comments

Glad Gov took a stand. May help stop some of the revolving door syndrome
Chief171

over 3 years ago

3182 Comments

It is about time the government here in Illinois stands up. I hope that they keep this up and it is not just ae election scheme.
clobster

over 3 years ago

1552 Comments

skascooter007, finding jesus has nothing to do with prison good behavior programs or getting out early. Good behavior credit is simply that; credit for good behavior. Do what you're told, don't fight with inmates or correctional officers, don't make weapons, don't break the rules, and your sentence is shorter. Its a good incentive for inmates to keep order within the prison. Sounds like its being abused here, so good call by the gov.
Anonymous

over 3 years ago

Keep the trash locked... Where it would do no harm to society.
jhunph

over 3 years ago

1120 Comments

Great job GOV. Now there will be less POS's on the street.