|
|
| Hundreds of Low-Risk Wash. Inmates Go Free Early Under New Law |
| By Seattle Times |
| Published: 07/14/2003 |
|
Law-enforcement officials warn of trouble ahead as Washington prisons rush to meet a new state law that will let hundreds of low-risk inmates out of prison early as a way to save money, starting last week. The state Legislature passed Senate Bill 5990 just before adjournment in April as lawmakers wrestled with closing a $2.65 billion budget deficit. The law is expected to save the state about $40 million in the next two years by eliminating supervision for certain nonviolent offenders after they're released, and letting others out of prison early by increasing time off for good behavior. The state Department of Corrections (DOC) plans to release about 280 inmates from prison this week. To save money, prosecutors supported ending the supervision of low-risk inmates once they're released from prison and jail. State officials have said those ex-inmates would have received very little supervision under the former system. But releasing convicts early is a far different matter. Prosecutors and county sheriffs, among others, oppose the move. Corrections Department information shows that dozens of inmates being released were convicted of property crimes, but the majority were in prison for drug offenses. Some served time for other offenses, including assault, perjury and hit-and-run accidents. On average, there will be about 550 fewer people in prison over the next two years because of the legislation. Some of the state's savings will come from the expense of providing housing, food and health care to inmates - an expense that runs about $24,000 a year per inmate. The inmates being released are considered at low risk of committing a violent crime. Some could have up to six months lopped off their sentences, but most will only have their sentences cut by one to three months, according to the department. The new law allows certain inmates - mostly drug and property offenders - to earn more credit for good behavior in prison. Such convicts can cut their prison time in half. State law previously let prisoners reduce their sentences by about a third. Tom McBride, executive secretary for the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, argues that the change in how prison time is calculated makes it harder for the public to understand how much time someone will actually serve when sentenced. The bill that passed the Legislature was a scaled-down version of a proposal by Gov. Gary Locke that would have made similar changes. Rep. Al O'Brien, D-Mountlake Terrace, chairman of the House Criminal Justice and Corrections committee, said lawmakers had little choice this session. 'All things equal, we'd just keep them in there and let them serve their sentence,' he said. 'Under the circumstances we just can't afford it.' O'Brien said he and other lawmakers did their best to 'keep the people in prison who pose the greatest risk to people's safety.' The final legislation contained a long list of offenders who cannot take advantage of the more generous credit provisions. The list includes people convicted of rape, murder, manslaughter and arson. There was little controversy to the changes involving supervision of low-risk inmates. Many of the lowest-risk former inmates only had to report in when they moved or got a new job. The higher-risk former inmates will continue to receive intense supervision. They must visit with corrections officers, and the department will do independent checks on them as well. |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think