Killer's Release Spurs Criticism Over Jail’s Early Release Program

By Amy Perry in News on Jun 18, 2010 6:40PM

A Lake County Judge is criticizing the controversial “book and release” program after a convicted felon on lifetime parole, Michael Drankus, was released from the Lake County jail. Drankus was released despite Gary City Judge Deidre Monroe’s written order denying his release and she has vowed to back out of the practice, reports the Sun-Times. The program set up by Sheriff Rogelio "Roy" Dominguez to reduce the jail population through an early inmate release program has been scrutinized by other Lake Superior Court Judges including Nicholas Schiralli, Thomas Stefaniak and Clarence Murray. All disagree with how the program is being administered by the Lake County jail employees and do not think inmates should be released without prior notice to their courts or a request for their permission.Typically, defendants with minor charges are approved for the program, but according to the Sun-Times:

Drankus pleaded guilty to murder, robbery, burglary and forced entrance in a Mississippi court and earned a life sentence. He is on lifetime parole.

He has been arrested for at least two drunken driving offenses, battery to law enforcement and domestic battery.

Drankus pleaded guilty to public intoxication in Gary City Court on Wednesday. Drankus has an open domestic violence case in the Gary court as well.

How, exactly, Drankus is on parole despite the lifetime sentence isn't explained. Sheriff Dominguez feels his early release program is desperately needed to reduce the inmate population from just over 800 to less than 630 and he has been concerned with the negative response. Several lawsuits have been filed against unsanitary conditions and brutality on inmates within the jail and a recent U.S. Department of Justice investigation found conditions fall short of federal standards. Seven inmates have committed suicide since 2005. The sheriff hopes his program will help alleviate the problems. Over the past month, about 200 inmates have been released through the program.