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Software Error Releases Up To 3,200 Inmates Early (seattletimes.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Governor Jay Inslee announced Tuesday that software used by the Washington Department of Corrections has been making mistakes in calculating sentences since 2002, resulting in thousands of inmates leaving prison early. Corrections officials learned of a problem in 2012. A patch to fix the faulty software will be implemented next month. Here's how the bug happened: When people are convicted of a crime, they're given a base sentence. On top of that, there can be extra periods of time — for example, using a firearm might add five years on top of the base sentence. While in prison, inmates can earn time off their sentence for good behavior or participating in work/education programs — but it can only apply to their base sentence. The software involved applied the inmates' good behavior credits to each section of their sentence. The Corrections Department is now trying to track down released inmates to make some of them finish their terms.
Sounds like the software was released early, too.
The Corrections Department is now trying to track down released inmates to make some of them finish their terms.
Wow... How fucking maliciously vindictive and petty can Uncle Sam get?
"Yeah, good job getting your life back together, congrats on landing that new job - Now get back in the goddamned cage."
They should fight it out in court before going back in demand a trail before the can be put back in to prison.
Actually we can. There was a fairly recent example of a court sentencing a man but somehow failing to actually send him to prison. He lived clean for well past his sentence's duration and when the authorities realized their mistake a legal battle ensued and the man won. He did have to spend some time in jail pending the outcome of the second legal case, but that was short compared to the time he would have spent had the court affirmed that the state could hold him for his sentence.
Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
Is that "Up to" as in, we don't actually KNOW a number?
I actually find that to be the more alarming issue.
The software involved applied the inmates' good behavior credits to each section of their sentence
So we're going to have to refactor the code to include subroutines and functions that support the US criminal justice systems perogative of biblical retribution it seems. For those worried about the inmates released, you can sleep soundly tonight knowing they are barred from most forms of employment, voting, public assistance, loans, and education grants after being released under the auspices that they are now rehabilitated. homeless shelters will also refuse service in many cases to convicted felons. So thanks to this system the only thing an early release ensures is an early re-incarceration due to a life-by-default of petty theft and drug trade.
Good people go to bed earlier.
Folks, most of these "early releases" were around 45 days early. Nothing to see. Move along.
If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
It occurred to me that if we replaced airbags with shotgun cartridges people might start driving carefully and stop running into other cars and things.
The tough on crime crowd, also known as the board of directors of for-profit prisons, has done a fine job of kneecapping public defenders. To the point that in some areas they have as little as 15 minutes on average to dedicate to a particular case. As such people who can't afford a private lawyer are told to just plead guilty and take whatever leniency the judge feels like granting that day, even if there is clear cut evidence of their innocence. Add in mandatory minimums and you get a nice steady stream of easy convicts the prisons rake in profit from.
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!