Computer Bug 'Releases' Violent Inmates

Published January 14, 2015

A computer glitch sent hundreds of phone calls and thousands of e-mails falsely telling Indiana crime victims that offenders were being released from prison.

The Indiana Department of Correction says the problem occurred Thursday during maintenance on the statewide victim information service, which allows victims to sign up for automated updates on the status of offenders.

The department says the glitch triggered more than 330 incorrect phone calls and about 11,000 e-mails.

The messages informed victims that people who committed crimes against them would be released Thursday.

Prosecutors in Allen and Huntington counties and Indianapolis reported receiving calls from worried crime victims who had received the messages.

The service was shut down while the problem was corrected.

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