Worthy: There 'Isn't Enough Information' About Inmate Release

WAYNE COUNTY, MI — The release of 168 Michigan prison inmates due to safety concerns surrounding the spread of the new coronavirus has caused concern for some state prosecutors who are trying to let victims know of their offender's release.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said her office is trying to reach out to victims, but does not have contact information for each victim. However, Worthy said it would be "extremely irresponsible" to not try and make contact with the victims.

"Some of these prisoners have committed murder, criminal sexual conduct, armed robbery and other very serious crimes," Worthy said. "We will perform our due diligence as expeditiously as we can. In some cases we will be able to do this swiftly and we will waive the balance of the 28 days so that these prisoners can leave the prison system faster. In other cases we may have to use more time.

"We owe this to victims of crime," Worthy continued. "We urge the MDOC (Michigan Department of Corrections) to provide us with a faster way to receive more information. With better cooperation, we may be able to move more quickly."

In early April, prosecutors across the state began to receive letter from the MDOC about paroling prisoners due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. Those being released are inmates who had served their minimum sentences and were eligible for parole.

Worthy said the letters were sent via email, with no information about the cases, the inmate's record during incarceration and no health information for the prisoner. Worthy added that the MDOC said it does not have victim information on file.

The letters notify prosecutors about the Michigan Parole Board's decision to parole a respective prisoner and that they will be released in 28 days from the date of the letter; the MDOC is required to give prosecutors 28 day notice before releasing a prisoner on parole.

While prosecutors have the option to waive the 28-day period, Worthy said her office will not be waiving the period for any inmate until victims in the respective case have been notified.

"There isn't enough information given by MDOC to make an informed decision," she said in a statement. "It is imperative that victims are located and made aware of the upcoming paroles."

A list of inmates being released can be found here.