Emergency parole would ease economic strains

I write as a fellow citizen concerning the state budget crisis and have a suggestion that is twofold.

First, there was an emergency parole system in effect which allowed the Iowa Parole Board to release many short-term or non-violent offenders each month, over and above the number of offenders scheduled for monthly parole hearings. This practice relieved much pressure off the general fund and an overcrowded prison system at the same time. However, then-Gov. Terry Branstad abolished the system through political wrangling and executive order in 1983.

Now that we're in an emergency budget crisis, why not restore emergency parole for many low-level or short-term inmates so they can be supervised more cheaply in the community?

While there are no exact figures on the total dollars or prison manpower hours saved, certainly tens of millions due to a reduced prison population and thousands of manpower hours because of the reduced population would be saved.

Drastic budget action is required by our elected officials. I believe that the reintroduction of emergency parole will give us the biggest bang for our buck and continue our high standard of public safety at the same time.

Charles Trobaugh

Cedar Rapids