ST. PAUL, Minn. – A proposal to keep violent criminals in prison longer has been introduced in the Minnesota Senate. Michael Kreun, a Republican from Blaine, said the present prison release guidelines fail to separate violent criminals from other inmates. “These are criminals who were convicted of heinous crimes and without any input from their victims, from the judges ,or considering the jury decision,” Kruen said. Release guidelines have been an ongoing issue between Democrats and Republicans. In 2013 Democrats succeeded over GOP objections in shortening sentences by 17% for inmates who complete a rehabilitation program. Republicans, including Kruen, called it a “Get Out of Jail Free” deal.
