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| More paroles help shrink Iowa prison population |
| By thegazette.com - Trish Mehaffey |
| Published: 08/30/2012 |
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A 5 percent decline in the state’s prison population between 2011 and 2012 — the largest drop within a year — is the result of a 40 percent increase in paroles, according to prison officials. Lettie Prell, spokeswoman for Iowa Department of Corrections, said the paroles reached 2,285 in fiscal 2006, then declined and jumped again to 2,024 in fiscal 2012. Prison admissions are also increasing. There were 2,093 inmates added to Iowa prisons in fiscal 2012, compared to 1,948 in fiscal 2011. Prell and other officials said the increase in paroles is attributed to vacancies filled on the board and a more “holistic approach” being taken to consider when making decisions that includes weighing factors such as the offense, time served, to where the inmate will be released and the risk to re-offend. Doris Kelley, chairwoman of Iowa Board of Parole, said the board will be at full staff in September when the new chairman, Jason Carlstrom of Spirit Lake, starts and she becomes the vice-chair. There are two full-time members and three part-time members. Having a full board will likely help speed up the release process, she said. The board must review the inmates’ files and then interview them before parole can be considered. The average time for a release could take 30 to 60 days. “We really just have a good board now and the two new members who the governor appointed are very focused and spend extra hours on the job,” Kelley said. “It takes a commitment and willingness to work more hours. Read More. |
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