Getting Out Early

The Denver Post

Gov. Bill Ritter proposes to save almost $19 million by letting as many as 3,100 inmates out of prison six months earlier than their mandatory release dates and halting the supervision of some parolees.

But the public need not worry, said Ritter, formerly Denver's district attorney.

"People coming out of prison are going to have more supervision tomorrow than they did yesterday," he said.

That's because the state plans to add almost nine new positions to provide intensive parole supervision.

Ritter stressed that sex offenders are not eligible to leave supervision because they face a lifetime parole.

The Democratic governor announced his corrections proposals Tuesday as part of his effort to reduce a $318 million budget shortfall.

Budget officials estimate about 3,100 inmates will be eligible for the early release, provided the state Parole Board grants them parole, said Katherine Sanguinetti, spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections.

Also, budget officials estimate about 2,600 former inmates currently on parole will no longer need to be supervised. Those parolees must have completed at least six months of parole or 50 percent of their parole period and completed all of their goals.

Studies show that after that point, parolees usually don't need supervision, said Ritter's budget director, Todd Saliman.

Ari Zavaras, director of the Department of Corrections, and Pete Weir, director of the Department of Public Safety, on Friday briefed the Colorado Commission on Crime and Juvenile Justice of the prison and parole changes.