Released DUI Offenders Back Behind Bars
Prisoners rounded up following early release
Friday, Dec 25, 2009 | Updated 11:15 AM CST
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Each of the 10 DUI offenders will be paroled between mid-January and mid-October under the terms of their original sentences, the Sun-Times reported.
An early Christmas present for a group of DUI offenders turned out to be short-lived.
Gov. Pat Quinn ordered 18 felony drunken drivers released from prison early to serve the rest of their prison time on home confinement, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday.
But following angry criticism from anti-DUI advocates, Quinn ordered the offenders back to prison on Thursday.
Each will be paroled between mid-January and mid-October under the terms of their original sentences, the Sun-Times reported.
David Malham, a victim-services specialist with Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Chicago, called the move a "delightful Christmas story."
The early release was part of a program aimed to save $5 million annually by placing certain "low-level, nonviolent offenders" on home detention, according to the Sun-Times.
No more DUI drivers will be eligible for early release as they will now be considered violent, according to an official with the state Corrections Department.
Copyright SunTimes
Posted Friday, Dec 25, 2009 - 11:00 AM CST
