By Aaron Knapp
The Journal Times
STURTEVANT — Eighteen inmates dropped a combined 15 years from their prison sentences this November when they were released early from Racine Correctional Institution.
They were part of the Earned Release Program which allows inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes to leave prison early if they complete a substance abuse program. State and prison officials say it helps reduce the chance of criminals reoffending.
By taking an intensive six-month program in prison to curb substance addictions and related criminal behavior, those 18 inmates collectively shaved 5,723 days off their sentences, freeing up their beds by about 10 months apiece on average, according to the Department of Corrections. The time they would have served is added to their extended supervision time, which they spend out of prison but still under state supervision.
By RCI’s estimates, those 5,723 days would have cost the state about $521,000. However, state officials note that this calculation does not factor in some costs and the possibility that released inmates may go back to prison.
Full story: Officials say program allowing early release from prison getting results