Former state Sen. Jane Orie was released from prison today after serving her minimum sentence.

A spokeswoman for the State Correctional Institution at Cambridge Springs confirmed that Orie was released this morning.

Orie, 52, was told in November after a parole board hearing she would be released following the completion of her minimum sentence. Their reasons included her "positive institutional behavior," the "positive recommendation made by the Department of Corrections" and her "demonstrated motivation for success," according to information provided by Amy Boyland of SCI Cambridge Springs.

Orie started serving her time June 6, 2012, after being sentenced to 2 1/2 to 10 years in prison by Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning of Allegheny County. She had been convicted of 14 felony counts during a second trial on charges she used her legislative staff to campaign for her sister, Joan Orie Melvin, for a seat on the state Supreme Court.

Her first trial ended in a mistrial when prosecutors accused Orie of tampering with documents submitted as evidence in the case. In the second trial, Orie was found guilty of theft of services and conspiracy, as well as forgery and tampering with evidence.

First Published: February 9, 2014, 4:47 p.m.