Jane Orie

Former state Sen. Jane Orie will likely leave state prison in February after the state Board of Probation and Parole on Thursday granted her an early release.

Orie, 52, is 17 months into a sentence imposed last year by Judge Jeffrey Manning, who presided over both trials of the politician.

Her senatorial district include the southern portion of Butler County.

Manning in June 2012 sentenced Orie to 2½ to 10 years in prison for her role in directing state-paid staff members to work on her reelection campaigns. A jury convicted her on 14 felonies, including theft and ethics violations.

Sherry Tate, the director of communications for the parole board, said officials arrived at their decision after interviewing Orie and at the recommendation of officials from the state Department of Corrections.

Orie, who is in an all-female facility in Crawford County, could be released as early as Feb. 9.

In its report, the parole board cited Orie’s “positive institutional behavior” as a factor in her early release, but also cited her creation of a “parole release plan” designed to create a road map she will follow to reenter society.

In addition, the board praised Orie’s “demonstrated motivation for success” as another factor in her early release.

Tate added that Orie must notify the parole board before her release where she plans to live, and that she’ll serve the remainder of her sentence on probation.

During that time, she must submit to random drug and alcohol testing as well as report to a parole officer.