Area inmates get sentences commuted

Gov. Mike Rounds has reduced the sentences of 270 state prison inmates for their work on community service or special projects or completion of GED or firefighter certification.

Because of the commutations, 23 of the inmates became eligible for release from the corrections system before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Inmates who worked 320 hours on select community service projects received 90-day sentence reductions. Inmates who completed their GED or firefighter certification or assisted with special projects also received 90-day sentence reductions. Inmates who fulfilled two of the criteria received 120-day sentence reductions, and inmates who fulfilled three or more of the criteria received 150-day sentence reductions.

Area recipients of the reductions and their counties of prosecution included Melissa Boyer, Davison; Blake Cooley, Davison; David Diede, Douglas; Thomas Fenner, Hutchinson; Thomas Habben Jr., Charles Mix; Dennis Harris, Davison; Daniel Highland, Davison; Ryan McManus, Davison; Stacy Reddest, Bon Homme; Shawn Shelton, Hutchinson; Anthony Sitting Bear, Gregory; Christina Speaks, Davison.

— From a Governor’s Office news release

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