Imprisoned mom wins early release but same relief blocked for some other domestic violence survivors

By CLAIRE SAVAGE
Associated Press/Report for America

LINCOLN, Ill. (AP) — A survivor of human trafficking who is imprisoned in Illinois for shooting a man sought and was granted a resentencing that will lead to her early release. Crystal Martinez relied on a 2016 Illinois law that allows survivors of domestic violence to ask for a reduced sentence. Illinois broadened eligibility under the law in January to allow more survivors to potentially reunite with their families sooner. But a decision by the Illinois Supreme Court in November could make it harder for survivors to secure resentencing if they pleaded guilty at trial. Women who have experienced abuse are much more likely to be incarcerated than those who have not.