The Iowa Department of Corrections says 15 sex offenders must be immediately released following a pair of Iowa Supreme Court rulings last week.
In the rulings, the court overrode corrections officials' interpretation of rules so "earned time" wasn't deducted from the prisoners' sentences if they refused to participate or failed sex offender treatment programming.
The court's ruling applies to 15 offenders whose crimes were committed before an amendment regarding the "earned time" went into effect on January 1, 2001.
Governor Chet Culver and the Iowa attorney general's office have directed the state to notify victims of the offenders' immediate release and to ensure that the offenders register as part of a Sex Offender Registry Program.
