Ala.'s early releases stay out of jail.

Most of the thousands of Alabama inmates who were released early to relieve prison crowding a year ago have stayed out of trouble. Ninety-six percent of the 3,637 nonviolent offenders released have remained out of jail.

The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles paroled the nearly 4,000 inmates through so-called "special dockets" for nonviolent offenders. Only 155 have returned to prison, either for new crimes or parole violations. About one-half of those are back for new crimes, according to statistics provided by the board. "We were surprised by the low number. Pleasantly surprised," said Cynthia Dillard, assistant executive director of the state Board of Pardons and Paroles.

In April 2003, the state began special paroles to cope with the increasing numbers in Alabama's prisons. A state budget shortfall added to the crisis, prompting Gov. Bob Riley last fall to double the size of the parole board and hire more parole officers.

Most of the newly paroled have not been free a full year, but parole officials say the low rate of prison returns looks promising. By comparison, in a typical year, 22 percent to 25 percent of parolees return to prison. Some commit new crimes, while others are sent back for violating conditions of parole. "I think some of these folks didn't think they'd get out this quick, and they're taking advantage of it," said David Mixson, district supervisor for the Jefferson County parole office.

Despite the thousands of paroles, most of the inmates considered for parole on the special dockets are denied. No drug traffickers and no one convicted of a Class A felony, the most serious felony, are allowed on the special parole dockets, Dillard said. Since last April, there have been 8,346 special docket hearings, and 43.5 percent were granted, Dillard said. Still, the increased paroles have helped reduce Alabama's prison population from 28,400 in April 2003 to 26,450 in March 2004.

Source: Birmingham News