SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois lawmakers say they hope to come up with a way to address prison crowding by the end of this spring's session. There are 48,620 prisoners in a system designed for 33,700. The population has grown by seven-percent in two years, since Democratic Governor Pat Quinn shut down an early release program for good conduct after the AP reported a secret plan that pushed inmates out even faster. Some released under the program committed more crimes. Rep. Dennis Reboletti is an Elmhurst Republican who has been meeting with Quinn's staff. He suggests alternatives to incarceration such as treatment instead of prison for low-level drug offenders. Quinn has previously said he supports such ideas. His spokeswoman says he is working with lawmakers for "safe, sustainable prisons." full story
