Early inmate release plan riles Mich. prosecutors

WKAR Public Media

Published February 16, 2010 at 6:12 PM EST

By AP

LANSING, MI –

Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposal to let an estimated 7,500 Michigan inmates out of prison early and save the cash-strapped state money is coming under fire from prosecutors worried about public safety.

Granholm wants to cut more than $130 million from state prison spending in the budget year starting Oct. 1.

Most of the savings would come by allowing inmates to shave time off their sentences for good behavior and letting more offenders be released under electronic monitoring outside of prison.

The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan is against the plan and urging lawmakers to kill off the proposal.

The Granholm administration says most states have similar plans that give prisoners credit for good behavior.

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