Governor Won’t Say If He Knew of Early Releases

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn would not say if he knew beforehand his administration was releasing inmates after they served just weeks in prison. Quinn suspended the program over the weekend after a report by The Associated Press some inmates served less than three weeks behind bars. Quinn said Monday that Corrections Department Director Michael Randle has broad discretion to run his department. He added if there are questions about how something is being done it's the governor's job to review it. After he learned about everything in the AP report, Quinn said he decided a closer look was needed. The suspended program gave inmates good conduct credit in advance. Corrections officials say the department was saving money in a budget crisis by not transferring the inmates to other prisons for short terms.