HONOLULU -- A state senator is worried that the governor's furlough plan may put people in danger.

Hawaii's prison system has suffered from staff shortages and overtime abuse.

So can it handle cutting back staff 14 percent to absorb the furlough? The Senate's Public Safety Committee chairman does not think so. It is time to think about carefully releasing some prisoners to save money, Sen. Will Espero said.

Historically, prison guards and sheriffs are considered essential. They are not allowed to go on strike, but the governor said they will be furloughed three days a month just like other state workers else.

"It's a very difficult line to draw who should be considered essential who isn't in this way everybody is treated the fair the same and equally," Gov. Linda Lingle said on Monday.

The man whose been monitoring the prison system for the state Senate does not think guards should be furloughed.

"My initial response is no because of the public safety issue," Espero said.

Espero said furloughs will force the prison reduce rehabilitation programs and visitations, leading to angry inmates released without preparation for freedom.

Budget crises in other states have actually led to efforts to reduce the prison population by releasing nonviolent inmates either into early parole or community programs.

"That's the kind of action that we are trying to avoid," Lingle said.

"Don't release 100 tomorrow for example, but we can begin the process today," Espero said.

Espero has heard estimates that 20 percent of Hawaii's prisoners can be released safely.

The public safety director refused KITV's request for an interview about how he will handle the same number of inmates with fewer guards. The guards union, the United Public Workers, did not return KITV's phone calls.