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| New Prison Program Promises Early Release |
| By Pioneer Press |
| Published: 10/03/2005 |
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Under a controversial new program, 158 Minnesota prisoners might be eligible for release after serving just half their time. The program, created by lawmakers this year for a two-year test run, allows the conditional release of nonviolent drug offenders who have completed drug treatment and meet a host of other criteria. The offenders' crimes must be rooted in their drug addictions, not motivated by greed or gang involvement. Although no one has been released from prison under the new guidelines the first prisoners wouldn't be eligible for discharge until early next year the small program has received attention and concern from attorneys, lawmakers and the governor. Even Corrections Commissioner Joan Fabian admits it puts her in a "difficult situation." Other states have considered or adopted some form of early release for drug offenders. But Minnesota has a very low incarceration rate. Even before the program's requirements were finalized, more than 400 of the state's 8,700 inmates expressed interest. So far, only 158 appear to qualify, and some of those might be rejected after further review. Some county attorneys have expressed misgivings about the program. Prosecutors recently received letters from the Corrections Department identifying offenders from their jurisdictions who may be eligible for release. Corrections officials said they would seriously consider any reservations that judges or prosecutors have about particular offenders. Elizabeth McClung, communications director for the prison agency, said the department would be "hard-pressed" to release any offender over the objections of a county official. Sen. Julianne Ortman, R-Chanhassen, and Sen. Thomas Neuville, R-Owatonna, who shepherded the program into existence at the Legislature, have heard the criticism before. But they also have received positive feedback from lawyers and others in the community and are convinced the program could benefit the state. Neuville said the program can make room for other prisoners, get drug treatment to those who need it and help more people become productive, law-abiding citizens. Plus there's another bottom line benefit: "If they do it right, they'll be saving some money," he said. |
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