AP Exclusive: Scores of Ill. early release criminals back in prison after parole crackdown

Scores back in prison after Ill. parole crackdown

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Nearly 130 parolees released from prison early are back behind bars because of an extraordinary crackdown led by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration, which has been stung by denunciations of a secret program that freed 1,700 inmates weeks ahead of time.

The Corrections Department confirmed it has begun “intensive compliance checks” on parolees released under the program known as “MGT Push,” beginning with those who committed violent crimes.

State records reviewed by The Associated Press show the department has picked up 129 of the parolees in the last ten days, most of them serving sentences for unlawful weapons charges or battery. They’ve likely gone back to lockup for violating terms of their discharge, but officials will not comment on the reasons or confirm how many have been apprehended.

The rules they’re forced to follow are unprecedented in terms of severity, according to law enforcement officials.

The recent spate compares with 57 MGT Push parolees put back in prison cells from the time the MGT Push release started, in September, through the end of the year.

By making the parolees walk a straight line, the Quinn administration simultaneously improves public safety and reduces the chance of a public relations debacle that would erupt after a horrendous crime by one of the released prisoners.

Quinn is fending off vicious attacks from political opponents over the program, particularly from state Comptroller Dan Hynes, his challenger in the Feb. 2 Democratic gubernatorial primary.

All parolees still on the street are being required to follow stringent new regulations — far stricter than anything seen before by law enforcement officials familiar with the Illinois’ parole system. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to discuss the regulations publicly.

The new rules require parolees to verify where they are and what they’re doing through daily phone calls to an automated statewide parole system, according to a copy of the form parolees must sign. The form says they must visit a parole office — in some cases, hundreds of miles away — twice a week, and refrain from drinking liquor or having alcohol at their homes.

One of the law enforcement officials said parolees who have committed more heinous crimes routinely have fewer requirements to follow.

Corrections spokeswoman Januari Smith said she isn’t certain all the MGT Push parolees have to adhere to the strictest of the guidelines, but all face more severe rules than typical.

Officials did not immediately respond to a question about how much the compliance checks are costing.

Hynes, following Quinn’s State of the State address Wednesday, said the cost of intensified scrutiny probably negates any cost-savings Corrections intended by implementing MGT Push.

“The fact that there are 100 more of these criminals back in jail proves that they shouldn’t have been let out in the first place,” Hynes said.

With MGT Push, Corrections dropped a long-standing requirement that inmates serve at least 61 days before being eligible for up to six months’ of good-conduct credit, or “meritorious good time.”

The Associated Press revealed the program’s existence in mid-December. Quinn’s staff initially defended the program. After the AP report, the governor said he knew about MGT Push in advance but suspended it.

Later, he said he was unaware of it and blamed the “big mistake” on Corrections Director Michael Randle. He appointed a team to study the issue, then reinstated the 61-day rule and announced other reforms Dec. 31.

Legislation Quinn backs that requires a 60-day minimum stay and 14 days’ advance notice to local prosecutors that an offender is getting out early went to the governor Wednesday for his signature after the Senate approved it 52-0.

Parole agents are visiting each of the offenders, starting with those convicted of violent crimes, Smith said. Then they must check on them, unannounced, twice per month.

Some of the MGT Push parolees are going back to prison for testing positive for drug use or even just smelling of alcohol, transgressions that rarely land someone back behind bars, according to the law enforcement officials.

State records show that through Wednesday evening, 129 had returned since Jan. 4, about half for violent offenses, including unlawful use of weapons and domestic or aggravated battery, according to an AP review. Others who have landed back in prison committed such crimes as repeat drunken driving, theft and financial fraud.

An AP analysis shows MGT Push parolees still free include more than 80 convicted of battery, resisting and injuring a police officer and other violent crimes, including one who went to prison for murder conspiracy; 70 who committed weapons violations; and four convicted of sex crimes.

Officials have acknowledged that by the end of December, 57 of the parolees had been returned to prison, nine for new crimes and 48 for technical parole violations. The AP reported last week that at least 17 of the 48 rule-breakers had been accused of new, violent crimes, including attempted murder and armed robbery.