Early Prison Release Program Rescinded

7/20/11 – State Assembly Majority Leader Scott Suder says Wisconsin is a safer place, after Governor Scott Walker signed the bill to end the early release of prisoners. Suder, a Republican from Abbotsford, was the main sponsor of the repeal – and the Republican Walker signed it Tuesday in Eau Claire. Democrats approved the early releases two years ago at the request of former Governor Jim Doyle. He said it would give non-violent offenders an incentive to behave behind bars – and it would save taxpayers’ money. About 500 prisoners were released early as a result of the program – and Republicans said some were drug dealers and other dangerous criminals. Democrats admitted it was hard to tell how much the program saved. Wisconsin spends about one-point-one billion dollars on its prisons each year.