Former Chicago Prosecutor Calls for Clemency for Older Inmates

Algis Baliunas reflects on his role in tough-on-crime policies that have led to prison population boom.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 3:15am

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A dimly lit, empty courtroom with wooden benches and a judge's bench, the room bathed in warm, golden light streaming through tall windows, creating a sense of quiet contemplation about the criminal justice system.A former tough-on-crime prosecutor's reflections on the unintended consequences of harsh sentencing laws expose the need for criminal justice reform.Chicago Today

Algis Baliunas, a former prosecutor in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office in Chicago, is now advocating for clemency for older inmates, acknowledging that the tough-on-crime policies he once embraced have led to a massive increase in the US prison population, with a growing share of elderly inmates who statistically pose little risk of reoffending.

Why it matters

Baliunas' change of heart highlights the evolving views on criminal justice reform, as policymakers and the public grapple with the long-term consequences of harsh sentencing laws that have contributed to overcrowding in prisons, particularly among older inmates who may no longer pose a threat to public safety.

The details

In a New York Times opinion piece, Baliunas reflects on his time in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, when long sentences were seen as public-safety tools. However, he now acknowledges that time and data have shown that belief to be misguided, as the US prison population has exploded from about 200,000 to more than a million, with a fast-growing share of elderly inmates who statistically pose little risk of reoffending.

  • Baliunas worked as a prosecutor in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office during the 1970s.

The players

Algis Baliunas

A former prosecutor in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office in Chicago who is now advocating for clemency for older inmates.

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What they’re saying

“I helped build something that has gone too far.”

— Algis Baliunas, Former Prosecutor

The takeaway

Baliunas' change of heart reflects a broader shift in attitudes towards criminal justice reform, as policymakers and the public recognize the need to address the long-term consequences of harsh sentencing laws and find ways to safely release older inmates who no longer pose a threat to public safety.