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May 31, 2012, State Legislature passes new law paving way for Early Release programs! Read latest at http://richardwanke.com

Read our latest article on the chances for MGT reinstatement here: Why Hoping MGT will Return in January 2011 “Won’t Make It So”

Minutes of the April 26, 2010 IDOC Adult Advisory Committee meeting are posted online at the IDOC Corrections Website. You can find the committee minutes here.

Some people are incorrectly regarding these minutes as new information about the status and prospects of Meritorious Good Time. The minutes are a good way to monitor internal attitudes within IDOC and considerations that the agency is exploring with respect to different issues.

These minutes (the substantial part with respect to MGT is shown below) do not contain new information about MGT, and the minutes are from an April 2010 meeting. Prior news already indicated that if MGT is reinstated, the State will move to limit eligibility for the program to “non-violent offenders” only and that certain other aspects of MGT are likely to be toughened. For now, MGT remains suspended until formal action is taken, and as the meeting notes show, part of that action is likely to require a legislative change of the law authorizing MGT to make it more restrictive. This means that it will take more time to reinstate the whole program since IDOC will want to avoid being sued by any “violent offenders” who end up being excluded from the program.

The positive information of meeting minutes is the indication that overall, IDOC continues to regard MGT to be a beneficial program which it would have liked to expand in many areas if it had the power to do so. The problem is that the program conditions will have to satisfy the politicians as well as the Governor and the agency. Keep in mind that the next Adult Advisory Committee meeting is set for July 26, 2010. There is still no news of the report from Judge David Erickson to Pat Quinn regarding recommendations.

Text from the Advisory Committee meeting notes:

MGT Update – Mark Prosperi & Mike McCotter

The MGT program was suspended by the Governor on January 14, 2010.

The Department is recommending that MGT would have to be earned.  A series of factors have been developed for DOC to judge offenders to decide if inmates have earned MGT. The Department is trying to make offenders make an effort to help rehabilitate themselves.  MGT will be limited to non-violent offenders.  The Department would like to eliminate eligibility for any offenders charged with staff assault.  The Department would like to consider the new threat assessment tool; which includes offenders’ entire criminal history.  Some of the Department’s changes will require a legislative amendment.  Some aspects could require a change in statute because the current statute allows some violent offenses and the Department is recommending no violent offenses be eligible for MGT.  The statute does, however, allow the Department to review the criminal history.  The Department of Corrections’ report is in the final draft stages.  The Department’s will provide their recommendations to the Governor’s Office.

The Department has prepared an Administrative Directive and is working on necessary rule changes.  Training will need to be developed.  The Department is facing a hurdle with regards to the outdated IT system w/in the Department.

Ms. Fazal brought up the issue of overcrowding.  What if an inmate is on a waiting list for a program, but can’t participate because of availability.  She suggested offering additional educational services so more offenders can participate in the educational programming and possibly earn the MGT.  Mr. Berry also expressed his feeling that DOC needs to provide more opportunities for offenders to earn MGT (example: education, etc.).