Gov. Mike Easley has picked two deputies to replace retiring department heads until permanent successors are picked. Tracy Little will be acting secretary of the Department of Correction to replace retiring Secretary Theodis Beck.

Easley named Joanne McDaniel acting secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to replace retiring Secretary George Sweat.

Little was deputy secretary in the correction department, according to a news release. McDaniel was chief of staff in her department. The two will lead their agencies until Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue can install a replacement.

Legislation that may move some of the most expensive inmates out of state prisons -- those considered so infirm they are no longer a threat to society -- could come up for a vote in the state House next week.

A House judiciary committee unanimously approved legislation today that creates a means for the release of inmates who are geriatric, terminally ill or are permanently and totally disabled, reports Dan Kane.

Prison officials estimate about 160 inmates would be eligible for release if the legislation becomes law.

Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand's legislation overwhelmingly passed the state Senate last session. Rep. Deborah Ross, a Raleigh Democrat and chairman of the House judiciary committee, said she wanted the Correction Department and health care providers to look at the legislation during the interim before she took it up.

Ross said today that she is satisfied that the legislation protects the public, saves the state money and makes sure that those released from prisons are provided adequate care.

"It's good legislation on a number of levels," Ross said. "First of all, it frees up prison beds for younger, violent offenders."

Read more after the jump.

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