IL Coronavirus: Convicted Murderers Among 4,000 Released Inmates
ILLINOIS — More than 4,000 inmates have been freed from prisons in Illinois since March, partly in an effort to stop the spread of the new coronavirus, according to a list released by state officials. Among those freed are dozens of people convicted of murder, including Brian Harrington, whom a jury found guilty in 2007 of murdering a man in Rockford when he was 14.
About 2,300 of the inmates, including Harrington, had their sentences commuted by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, according to Republican state Rep. John Cabello, of Machesney Park. It's not clear if that number, which the governor's office has challenged, is accurate. Others were given credit for good behavior, paroled early, or otherwise released as their sentences came to an end.
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According to court records, according to WREX, a total of 64 of those released were convicted of murder.
"I think some of you may know and understand, because I've said it many times from this podium. I want to keep the risk to people across the state as low as possible," Pritzker said earlier this month, according to WREX. "The risk of COVID-19 and the risk from somebody who has done something wrong in their past."
On Monday, Cabello released a statement calling on Pritzker to stop releasing criminals from prison under the pretense of protecting them from the coronavirus.
"JB Pritzker is jeopardizing citizens across Illinois by letting criminals out of jail," Cabello said. "The prisoners he has released are all making their way back into our communities because the Governor clearly has no regard for the public safety of our citizens. These are not low level offenders many of them are murderers, rapists, and domestic violence offenders."
In a statement to ABC 20, the governor's office called Cabello's letter misleading.
"This inflammatory letter gets a few things wrong," the governor's office said. "The Department [of Corrections], after an individualized review and with an emphasis on maintaining public safety, is utilizing its statutory authority to place offenders on electronic detention or award earned discretionary sentencing credit. A full list of all offenders placed on electronic detention or released with the award of earned discretionary sentencing credit since March 1, 2020, is available on the website. The website also lists all exits since March 1, 2020. State's Attorneys receive an email notification when an incarcerated individual is released early. Victims are notified by the Prisoner Review Board and the AVN system sends notifications to those who register."
"When people finish their sentences, they are released. That is how the criminal justice process works. The Governor has not released 4,000 people due to COVID," the statement continued.
On April 17, the Illinois Coalition for Public Safety (COPS) also sent a letter to the governor questioning his decision to reduce the sentences of those convicted of a violent crime.
"Our job is is very difficult and dangerous under 'normal' circumstances," the coalition wrote. "The level of risk has been increased exponentially as a result of the current pandemic. Unfortunately, officers now also fear that violent convicted felons are being released back into the communities we have sworn to protect and serve."
This article originally appeared on the Rockford Patch
