Some Lawmakers Call For End To Connecticut Prisoner Release Program
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork) - Republican lawmakers in Connecticut have called for an end to Gov. Dannel Malloy's early prisoner release program, arguing that the program was unsupervised and let dangerous convicts back on the streets.
The Republicans said hundreds of inmates, including violent criminals, may have been released from prison sooner than their sentences were up through the program, which took effect last summer.
WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reports
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Two of the convicts who were released early may have been responsible for two murders, Senate Minority Leader John McKinney said.
"The program is woefully mismanaged and in some ways, not even working. For example, [prisoners] can get credit for putting their names on a waiting list without ever taking the program," McKinney told WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau.
McKinney said the non-partisan state Victim Advocate Michelle Cruz faced punishment after she publicly criticized the management of this program.
"And as a result of her outspoken dissent of victims and criticism of Gov. Malloy's policy, Gov. Malloy and his administration have now posted her job," McKinney told Schneidau.
A spokesman for the governor's office said the job is being posted because the victim advocate is ineffective in the job.
Gov. Malloy began the early release program to lower the prison population and reduce costs.
Critics said the program needs better supervision and should only be open to non-violent offenders.
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