Kentucky Inmates Prepare For Early Release

{Frankfort, Kentucky}...Kentucky's current prison population is more than 20,000. On January 3rd, the Department of Corrections is mandated to release 969 prison inmates from its facilities across the state and about 260 more every month after that. House Bill 463, or the Criminal Justice Reform Bill, recently passed by the state legislature, is aimed at saving Kentucky millions of dollars. The legislation calls for the release of the approved segment six-months prior to the completion of their sentence. The bills sponsor, Representative John Tilley, says the most violent offenders are not eligible for the program. He says most are considered 'low risk' and must have planned and approved residences when they get out. The inmates will be supervised after their release. Fayette Commonwealth's Attorney Ray Larson says he always has concerns with programs giving criminals a 'get out of jail early card.' Representative Tilley says, he understands Larson's concerns but believes this program, modeled after other states, where it's proven successful, will work in Kentucky. The Department of Corrections estimates the program will save the state $42 million in the first year and more than $420 million in ten years.