This opinion piece discusses the controversy of overcrowding and early release programs in the 1970s. Some states were forced into developing early release programs because of civil rights lawsuits, and overcrowding. Overcrowding may endanger the health of inmates and cause riots. The Conner Correctional Center in Hominy Oklahoma had a riot due to overcrowding, leaving one inmate dead and twenty-three injured. According to Alvin Bronstein, executive director of the ACLU National Prison Project, some critics oppose the release because the number of prime candidates and serious offenders will run out, and left with difficult people who may not want parole. He also states early release is a "band-aid" approach, and the intelligent policy is to reduce intake. Silas notes early release can overload parole officers. Faye A. Silas is a reporter/writer for the ABA Journal.

The American Bar Association's  mission is to serve equally our members, our profession and the public by defending liberty and delivering justice as the national representative of the legal profession. The American Bar Association Journal is a flagship magazine of the American Bar Association.

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^{Keywords: Keywords: National, 1970's, Prison early release, Opinion Piece, Conner Correctional Center in Hominy Oklahoma, ACLU National Prison Project, Overcrowding,}

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