EIGHT HARDIN COUNTY FELONS TO BE RELEASED

Eight Hardin County convicts are among more than 550 felons in the state
who will be released from jail Wednesday before their sentences have been
fully served.

Gov. Paul Patton announced the plan Monday as part of a strategy to balance
the state's teetering budget. Patton said the early release carries some
dangers and will prompt objections from many, but that he must do what it
takes to make up a $6 million deficit in the Corrections Department budget
and much larger shortfalls across state government.

"It's not going to be pretty no matter how we do it," Patton said during a
news conference.

Starting at noon Wednesday and again next week, there will be 567 inmates
released an average of 80 days before their sentences have been served. The
actual number may vary, depending on whether some have been given early
release by judges or other factors.

Of the eight inmates in Hardin County, six were in jail on minor drug
offenses, one for failure to pay child support and another for first-degree
burglary.

Authorities in Hardin County are skeptical of the governor's plan.

"For the governor to step in and release prisoners because of the need to
cut a budget is almost criminal in itself," said Chris Shaw, Hardin County
Commonwealth's Attorney.

The burglary charge particularly troubles Shaw because it is considered a
Class B felony, which typically involves a firearm and a 10- to 20-year
sentence.

Hardin County Jailer Lewis Lawson doesn't think Patton's decision is a good
one, but he does understand the state's dilemma.

"He's got to do something," Lawson said. "But in Hardin County, we've
always sent out the message 'don't commit crimes or you will end up in
jail.' This sends a bad message out to criminals."

Lawson fears the measure will lead to an increase in crime.

"This is unfair to the prosecutors and other officials who work hard to put
criminals in jail," he said.

The bulk of the inmates are now lodged in county jails, with 102 to be
released from state prisons and another eight from halfway houses.

Deputy Justice Secretary Barbara Jones said the inmates were chosen for
their short sentences and nonviolent crimes. Nevertheless, she acknowledged
that officials expect at least a third of the inmates to return with new
convictions. If that happens, they will also have to serve out the
remainder of their current sentences.

Patton said earlier the inmate release would be needed and he plans to hold
two more events this week to dramatize what will happen if more budget cuts
must be imposed.

"I am governor. I have to do what I have to do to live within the revenue
that we have," Patton said. "I understand there are people who are not
going to be happy about it."

Patton has not yet made that leap, but it may not be long as he maps out a
budget for the 2003 General Assembly.

"We're not talking about what happens if we don't get more revenue. We'll
talk about that on Thursday," Patton said.

Lawson believes Wednesday won't be the last time he'll see many of the
eight prisoners set to be freed.

"I guarantee you that out of the eight inmates released in Hardin County,
six of them will be back," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.