Computer error – thousands of US prisoners released early due to software bug – Süddeutsche.de

13 years prisoners were sent prematurely to freedom in the US state of Washington. Some of them have now returned to custody.

600 days is too short in jail

Up to 3 200 former prisoners in the United States have to fear for their freedom. Because of the state of Washington has inmates for years dismissed too early – because of a computer error. Whoever showed good leadership in jail, was able to reduce his period of detention. However, the software calculated number of occupants to high time-credits

The bug has been around for 13 years: In 2002, the Supreme Court of the State had the Department of Corrections (DOC) – the competent authority – instructed good. to reward behavior of prisoners. Since then, about three percent of all inmates were released early. On average they are 49 days spent in jail too little, as the local NBC offshoot King 5 reported. One inmate had even reached 600 days too early in freedom.

Some prisoners have to go back to jail

The former prisoners now have to fear being brought back to jail in order there to rest of their sentence dismount. Five ex-prisoners have been detained again, the remaining cases are still being examined. Some will probably have to do community work, others remain without restrictions in freedom. Whether prisoners were re-offend during the period of their early release, is unclear.

“Absolutely inexcusable”

The problem has been known since 2012. At the time, complained the family of a victim because the perpetrator was released too early. When programming the Troubleshooting there had been multiple delays, it is from the DOC. Only the new CIO’ve noticed how serious the error was, and informed the management of the Authority.

Jay Inslee, governor of Washington, said he was “deeply disappointed” that the bug 13 years had existed long. “This is absolutely inexcusable that makes me, frankly, angry.” He had instructed the authority to fix the problem immediately, “quickly and completely.” The update will be published until January 7. Until then, the punishment of all prisoners must be calculated manually.