In a surprise reversal from the Utah Board of Pardons, Wanda Barzee — who helped kidnap Elizabeth Smart in 2002 — will be released from prison next Wednesday.
The parole board denied Barzee an early release date in July, declining to include her eight years in federal prison as time served on state charges.
But in a decision released Monday, the board reversed their ruling and ordered instead Barzee be released next Wednesday.
“Upon further review and advice from legal counsel, the board must count time spent in federal custody toward Ms. Barzee’s state sentence,” wrote Greg Johnson, the director of administrative services.