Putting prisoners back on the streets is never a popular political decision. But the hard choices are piling up for cash-strapped states like Michigan. To help close her state's $1.6 billion budget chasm, Gov. Jennifer Granholm is looking to release as many as 12,000 inmates. To do that, she has expanded the parole board from 10 to 15 members to evaluate nonviolent offenders who have already served their minimum sentences and to expedite commutations. "Public safety is at the center of what we are doing," says the governor's spokesperson, Liz Boyd.

To Save Money, States Consider Releasing Prisoners | Newsweek Business | Newsweek.com

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be nice to the people on your way up,because you will meet them again on your way down

This will be extreme pressure they will be under, keeping society in mind first and safe.
The ones who are non violent, good behavior etc, should be a good sign for them to begin with.

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its funny lets release them, and put them on teethers, they dont have the manpower to man the prisons, lets go after CA prisoners, i dont get it..it dont make sence..

I am not sure about hiring more for the parole board, what about the extra people to monitor their progess back into society?
Budgets are never easy, thank goodness Texas fiscal Year ends at end of August and we will have money again on September first!

I;m not sure either about that Merrill.
Also if they let go of 1,000 employee's and that many inmates, that will flood a job market not at its best right now. Add to it, a felony record to compete for jobs there.

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