AP Exclusive: Dozens of prisoners released early in Ill. have disappeared, some are violent

Ill. parolees disappear after being release early

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — More than 1,700 Illinois prison inmates were supposed to get extra scrutiny while on parole after they were set free as part of a secret early release program.

But documents obtained by The Associated Press show dozens have disappeared and parole agents can’t find them.

Several of the 50 currently missing have violent histories.

The parolees were let go as part of the “MGT Push” plan that Gov. Pat Quinn shut down in December after The Associated Press revealed it. The secret MGT Push plan was meant to reduce the prison population by giving discretionary good-conduct credit — known as “meritorious good time” — to offenders as soon as they arrived at prison. They were rewarded for good conduct even before they had a chance to show they could follow the rules.