An Illinois prison oversight group says the state should overhaul sentencing standards to avoid being forced by the federal courts to release prisoners to ease overcrowding.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — An Illinois prison oversight group says the state should overhaul sentencing standards to avoid being forced by the federal courts to release prisoners to ease overcrowding.
John Howard Association executive director John Maki tells the Chicago Tribune that in order for Illinois not to mirror California, the state must have a more effective justice system, "and heavy sentencing is not the best way of preventing crime."
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled California must reduce its prison population to relieve overcrowding that has exposed inmates to increased violence, disease and death. The 5-4 decision is forcing the state to cut the population by 33,000 to no more than 110,000 inmates in two years.
The Department of Corrections says Illinois has 48,661 inmates in custody, about 1,300 less than capacity.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
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