Security News > 2021 > June > Ex-NSA leaker Reality Winner released from prison early for 'exemplary' behavior

Reality Winner, the former NSA intelligence contractor who leaked evidence of Russian interference in a US Presidential election to the press, has been released from prison.

Her attorney Alison Allen announced Winner, 29, had been let out on Monday early due to "Exemplary" behavior while inside.

In 2018, Winner pleaded guilty to one count of espionage for printing out a classified document describing the Kremlin's attempts to infiltrate and meddle with voting systems amid the 2016 White house race.

Allen confirmed to The Register Winner is now being transferred to a halfway house in Texas: "Reality has begun the reentry process in south Texas and she's working on all of the very emotional work of adjusting to life after prison. She became an aunt while she was in prison, and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to be tickling the tiny toes of her niece."

When Winner printed the secret files, she was 25 and working at Pluribus International, a intelligence services company contracting with the federal government.

The FBI was able to finger Winner as a potential source of the leak after a full copy of the document was sent by The Intercept to the NSA for verification as opposed to a summary of it.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2021/06/14/reality_winner_released/