Senate panel to seek subpoena in early release of Washington inmates

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Senate Republican leaders of a legislative committee are seeking subpoena power in order to conduct their own investigation into the early release of thousands of prisoners in Washington over a 13-year period.

Senate Law and Justice Committee Chair Mike Padden and Vice Chair Steve O'Ban notified Gov. Jay Inslee of their intentions in a letter late Wednesday night. They were set to hold a press conference Thursday morning about their efforts.

Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said in a news release lawmakers are not satisfied with an investigation launched by Inslee into a software coding error that miscalculated prison sentences.

The governor has appointed two retired federal prosecutors to investigate.

The error, disclosed Dec. 22, has led to the early release of up to 3,200 prisoners since 2002. At least two deaths have been tied to the early releases.