Prison Doors Swinging Open

I’m going to spew some facts at you. So hold on. ..

Since March 1st, the Illinois Department of Corrections has released over 4000 inmates back into the population. The Governor has commuted life sentences. At last count, 64 convicted murderers have been let go.

In my hometown of Bethalto, a man who killed his five-year-old son, without remorse, had his 40-year sentence disappear. He’s out now.

And while this mass exodus is occurring at the state, local officials have been told they won’t be handing over any new convicts to the DOC. In other words, if our local circuit court convicts someone of a felony and has them slated for a trip to Menard, they won’t be accepted there despite the fact there are plenty of empty beds at the Chester facility. It will fall on the Sheriff to take care of them for the undetermined future.

What’s the point in having a criminal justice system if you don’t accept convicted felons?
Further, let’s say you got released early and you decide to beat up your wife…which is an obvious parole violation…You aren’t going to go back to the state prison. They won’t take you.
My biggest fear is that this is the new normal. The state is beyond broke and Governor Pritzker will continue to catch and release criminals, even after the pandemic has subsided.

I don’t know about you…but for me this is unacceptable.

I’m not worried about a convicted murderer’s good health.