State Senate panel to seek subpoena in early release of inmates

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Members of a Senate panel say they will seek a subpoena to force the disclosure of records connected with the early release of thousands of prisoners in Washington state.


Senate Law and Justice Committee Chair Mike Padden and Vice Chair Steve O'Ban notified Gov. Jay Inslee of the plan in a letter Wednesday night.

Padden, a Republican from Spokane Valley, says lawmakers are not satisfied with an investigation launched by Inslee into the software coding error that miscalculated prison sentences.

The error led to the early release of up to 3,200 prisoners since 2002. At least two deaths have been tied to the early releases.

Padden says the move comes after too many questions about the investigation at a hearing earlier this week went unanswered.