States release prisoners early to cut costs
With state governments around the country under increasing budget pressure, some are looking to save money on prisons by releasing prisoners before their term ends. Early releases began last month in Colorado when the Department of Corrections set free 10 felons, including a convicted sex offender and a drunk driver put away for vehicular homicide. Michigan, Illinois, Texas and Mississippi are just a few of the other states planning early releases.
We talk with Ari Zavares, executive director of the Colorado Department of Corrections; Christine Donner, executive director of the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform coaltion; and Robert, a convicted felon who was released on parole earlier this year.
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