COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio's prison chief is recommending the release of five inmates who have served 80 percent of their time.
The recommendation, if approved, would be the first use of a 2011 law intended to reduce the inmate population.
Director Gary Mohr of the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has sent letters to judges asking them to release two female prisoners and three male inmates for good behavior and other factors.
The inmates are serving time mostly for low-level felonies, although one was convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide.
Judges have the final say on whether to release prisoners.
Ohio is trying to save money by shrinking its inmate population. By several measures, the law and other efforts are working. Ohio's prison population remains under 50,000 inmates, a level not seen since 2007.
