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East Central Reporter

Thursday, September 11, 2025

February: 8 inmates sentenced in Coles County to be released

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There were eight inmates sentenced to jail in Coles County that will be released from the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections during February.

The inmate being released that served the longest time was Macario P. Romero for attempted murder with intent to kill or injure. Macario P. Romero spent more than 12 years incarcerated.

According to The Institute for Illinois’ Fiscal Sustainability, Illinois spends about $37,000 a year per incarcerated person. In a study by Prison Policy Initiative, Illinois incarceration rate was at 564 per 100,000, higher than every industrialized country, except the United States. When compared with its surrounding states, Illinois was the lowest. Kentucky and Missouri have rates over 850 per 100,000.

One of the issues is how pretrial detainees are now handled. The Vera Institute of Justice noted that pretrial detainees made up 71% of the total jail population.

Most prison inmates are released on some condition of supervised monitoring upon reentering civilian life. This monitoring can last from 1 year to the rest of someone’s life.

Inmates being released who were sentenced in Coles County in February
NameOffenseSupervised Release DateHolding Facility
Macario P. Romeroattempted murder with intent to kill or injure2021-02-01Western Illinois Correctional Center
Benjamin L. Austinmeth delivery of 15-100 grams2021-02-06Southwestern Illinois Correctional Center
Thomas A. Welchunlawful restraint2021-02-07Graham Correctional Center
Sean A. Watsonresidential burglary2021-02-08Lincoln Correctional Center
Caleb S. Hacklermanufacturing or delivery of 1-15 grams of cocaine2021-02-10Graham Correctional Center
Samantha J. Smithpossession of meth manufacturing material2021-02-13Logan Correctional Center
Brandon E. Risercriminal sexual assault of a family member under 182021-02-25Graham Correctional Center
Christopher Hughesaggravated fleeing police2021-02-28Jacksonville Correctional Center

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