Early Release To Continue-For Now

By Kentucky Public Radio

Frankfort, KY – Attorney General Jack Conway says the Corrections Department is improperly interpreting budget language that allows the early release of state prisoners to save tax dollars. Corrections is giving inmates credit for parole time, or street time, even if they violate parole and are returned to prison.

Corrections is applying the law retroactively, and thousands of inmates or parolees, including murderers and sex offenders, have been released. The attorney general says Corrections has no authority to apply the law retroactively.

Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd says the A-G raises a substantial question of law, but not enough to grant injunctive relief. The judge wants to hear arguments next month on whether the law is being properly applied.