Some jail inmates released by mistake return, but not all
By CARLOS VILLATORO
Register Staff Writer
A total of six Napa County jail inmates have turned themselves in after they were released by mistake earlier this week, with six more out of the 25 expected to come back by late Saturday, according to Napa County Department of Corrections officials.
The 25 inmates were released after jail officials miscalculated the reductions in their sentences due to credits for good behavior or other factors. “I used a formula to calculate the good time and work time days; However I used the probation department’s formula instead of the department of corrections,” Department of Corrections Director Julie Hutchens said Friday.
Not all the inmates will be asked to return, as jail officials said they would not pursue those who had five days or less remaining on their sentences. The inmates were serving jail sentences for misdemeanor crimes, ranging from DUIs and other non-violent offenses to two people who were in for domestic violence convictions. None had more than 44 days remaining on their sentences.
“All of these people had already served 84 percent of the time owed to the county,” Hutchens told the Register. “Once again, I want to stress that our priority is to see those who were released with more than five days to serve are returned to the jail. I understand what happened, and I can assure everyone it will not happen again.”
Hutchens began serving as director of Napa County Department of Corrections on Sept. 3. In her previous post, she served as a jail director in Siskiyou County.
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Demo Cracy wrote on Jan 13, 2008 10:49 AM: