WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderViolent criminals out of prison through secret early release

Violent criminals out of prison through secret early release

ROCKFORD (WREX) - At least 850 prisoners will get out of jail early, some in just a matter of weeks, through Illinois' secret early release program.  Inmates get out early because they're given months of good-conduct time as soon as they enter prison.

Most of them served time for drugs, drunk driving, or retail theft charges, but nearly 100 committed more serious crimes.  That has a lot of people questioning the state's program including an ex-convict from Rockford.

"They don't come out rehabilitated," Verne Johnson said.

The 34-year-old knows because he's lived it.

"I spent probably 14 years of my life in the gangs out in the streets and using drugs."

The last time Verne got out of prison, he decided to change his life. Verne is now a husband, father, and counselor at Rosecrance. With his experience in the prison system, he says its dangerous to let convicts out early.

"When I went in to prison, it was never the mindset of wanting to change. It was like, how can I be better, how can I be a better criminal, how can I be better at not getting caught," Johnson said.

Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato says the state's program undermines the criminal justice system.

"We work so hard to get individuals into the courtroom, cases tried, and to get sentences we think are appropriate and then individuals are sent down to the Department of Corrections and then some persons return in a matter of weeks to our community," Bruscato said.

Some groups, including the John Howard Organization which works with the Illinois Department of Corrections, supports the secret early release program because it's saving the state money.

"My bigger concern again is not the money, its not the dollars, its the public safety issue."

According to the IDOC, it costs about $45 a day to house an inmate. That means the program helps save the state more than $38,000 daily.