Yet another example of how budget-cutting early prison releases endanger the public’s safety.
ILLINOIS PAROLEES DISAPPEAR AFTER EARLY RELEASE
More than 50 parolees, let go as part of the secret program dubbed MGT Push, are on the lam
By John O'Connor
Associated PressJune 24, 2010
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Dozens of parolees, including one imprisoned for his part in a 2008 murder, have disappeared after they were set free as part of a secret early release program, according to documents acquired by The Associated Press.
The parolees were let go as part of the "MGT Push" plan that Gov. Pat Quinn shut down in December after The Associated Press revealed it. While the public has not been told when they take off, the agency said Wednesday it would change that.
MGT Push has embarrassed Quinn as he runs for re-election, although the Democratic governor has tried to blame Corrections Director Michael Randle, saying he didn't know Randle was going to release violent offenders. The administration ordered parole agents in January to begin "intensive compliance" checks on the released prisoners.
More than 50 MGT Push parolees are currently on the lam, according to documents from Corrections obtained under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and analyzed by The Associated Press.
The secret MGT Push plan was meant to reduce the prison population by giving discretionary good-conduct credit _ known as "meritorious good time" _ to offenders as soon as they arrived at prison. They were rewarded for good conduct even before they had a chance to show they could follow the rules.
Hundreds of violent criminals were among 1,745 released weeks early. Some spent as little as seven days in prison.
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