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| Judge orders state to stop releasing inmates |
| By The Times Leader - The Associated Press |
| Published: 05/03/2009 |
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A southern Kentucky judge ordered the state on Wednesday to stop releasing inmates early in an effort to save money. Pulaski County Circuit Judge David A. Tapp said the Kentucky Department of Corrections had violated state law by letting thousands of felons out of prison or off parole early in an effort to balance the budget. The ruling, heralded by the state's prosecutors, could have major ramifications financially and otherwise. Pulaski County Commonwealth's Attorney Eddy Montgomery, who challenged the early release program, said he now will ask that the inmates released early be put back behind bars and parolees be put back under supervision. Department of Corrections spokeswoman Jennifer Brislin had no immediate comment on the judge's ruling, saying officials in her office were still reviewing it. "We are pleased with Judge Tapp's ruling, and we'll be watching closely for further developments in this case," said Allison Martin, spokeswoman for Attorney General Jack Conway. Tapp had issued a temporary injunction last year barring the early releases in Lincoln, Pulaski and Rockcastle counties where he presides. Wednesday's ruling blocks early releases statewide. Under a plan approved by the Legislature, state prison officials have been giving inmates more credit than normal for time served on parole. The extra credit has gone toward fulfilling inmates' minimum sentences. Kentucky's state government is dealing with a loss of some $900 million in revenue amid the ailing economy. To help balance the budget, lawmakers approved the early release plan to save about $12.5 million. Tapp said inmates have been released early without taking into account the nature of the crimes and without regard to whether sexual predators and drug offenders had completed treatment. "Moreover, nowhere in the envisioned savings to be generated by the anticipated mass exodus from Kentucky's prisons did anyone responsible for this legislation consider the financial and human costs," Tapp said. Read more. If link has expired, check the website of the article's original news source. |
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