MADISON, Wis. (WSAU) - One of the biggest critics of the early release program for Wisconsin prisoners says he'll ask for an audit this summer to see how the effort is going.
Assembly Republican Scott Suder of Abbotsford calls it a "dangerous social experiment." And if he’s re-elected in November, Suder plans to introduce a bill next year to end the early releases.
Majority Democrats agreed in last year's state budget to free up to 3,000 prisoners before their terms end, with the goal of saving $30 million over 2 years. Corrections' officials said 138 prisoners were freed as of last week.
Suder contends that dangerous criminals are among those being let go, and crime victims and law enforcement are not being notified. Suder also believes the state won't save money that officials had hoped. The corrections' agency has not commented. Suder says he's still rounding up information before asking state auditors to review the program.
