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RALEIGH – 20 people serving life sentences for crimes like rape and murder are set to be released next week due to a state law that defined a life sentence as 80 years in prison and at the same time allowed prisoners to erase as much as half of their sentence for good behavior while behind bars.

Seven of the 20 inmates to be released have convictions in the Triad.

Tom Bennett, with the North Carolina Victim Assistance Network, says the inmates' victims are greatly affected by the development.

"A lot of them are saying that this situation is forcing them to relive the horrors of the attacks that were made on them or their family members," Bennett said. "They're frightened. They're angry. They do not understand how this could happen or how this could be allowed to happen."

Most of the 20 prisoners were convicted of murder or rape. Some spent time on death row. Half are registered sex offenders.

60-yaer-old Bobby Bowden, who was convicted for murder in 1973, won a court decision by arguing that an old state law defining a life sentence as 80 years, combined with 'good time,' meant his time was up.

"Good time basically gives you one day off your sentence for every day you serve, so it's basically a 50 percent cut," Keith Acree, of the Department of Corrections, said.

Acree says the law was later changed, but the loophole left an opening for an estimated 120 felons currently serving life sentences.

"I think the key question is, is there anything that can be done to stop this release that is scheduled for the 29th of October?" Bennett said. "I don't think anybody has a final answer to that yet."

State officials are meeting daily to try to find a way to keep the prisoners in jail. Acree says if they are released, he's certain some will wind up behind bars.

"Some of these people are going to do fine, and some are probably going to present somewhat of a risk," he said. "Some will be back in prison? I think they probably will."

Several of the victims and their families have asked to speak with Gov. Bev Perdue. Last week, the governor said she was appalled by the possibility of the felons being released, but there's no word from her office on whether any meetings will take place.