LANSING, MI - A Department of Corrections parole manager who mistakenly ordered the release of Patrick Selepak from prison before Selepak went on a killing spree that claimed three victims, was fired, according to department officials.

Larry Baran, who was in charge of the Parole Supervision Unit, and three other employees in that unit were disciplined following a department investigation that found numerous violations of department policies and procedures in the handling of parole violators. One supervisor was demoted, another retired Wednesday, and the parole officer who supervised Selepak was suspended.

Four others who were suspended will not be punished further because the violations of which they were accused could not be substantiated by the investigation.

In addition, Joan Yukins, deputy director of Field Operations Administration responsible for the state's parole and probation services, retired on Wednesday, said Corrections Director Patricia Caruso.

In March, Parole Board Chairman John Rubitschun was appointed acting deputy director of that department. A new deputy director will be in place within the next 30 days, Caruso said.

In addition to disciplinary action taken against specific employees, Caruso eliminated the parole supervision unit, the office responsible for processing parole violations and revocations.

"The investigation showed severe problems within this unit. There was an apparent lack of leadership, rampant misuse of discretion and very little supervision by the individuals responsible for overseeing that office," Caruso said. "As a result, I have completely dismantled this section. I have transferred the responsibilities for processing parole violations and revocations to the Parole Board. In addition, I have put in place strict guidelines which outline the use of discretion for processing these cases."

Caruso held a press conference Wednesday afternoon in Detroit to explain the results of the investigation and reforms she ordered to prevent future incidents like the Selepak case.