Allowing release of 6,500 inmates before they finish their original sentences this year, a victims' rights group has sued to block a California law.

The San Diego Union-Tribune has reported that the legislation, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to save the cash-strapped state $500 million, reduces the terms of some felons if they attend vocational classes or earn a high school equivalency diploma.

The law violates California's Proposition 9, which mandated a crackdown on early releases and established a list of victims' rights, Crime Victims United said in its suit.

The lawsuit further states, "This amendment incorporated into the constitution the public's right to prevent the early release of felons, adequate notice of the release to victims of those felons and funding of prisons adequately to protect the public."

The law would "jeopardize every citizen in the state of California," Nina Salarno Ashford, a Crime Victims United board member, said.

The releases are legal and give "low-risk" inmates, incentive to behave well, learn a skill and prepare for post-prison life, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has said.

Gordon Hinkle, a prison system spokesman, said, "No serious or violent felons, no sex offenders and no gang members would be eligible for the new parole terms created by the law." (With Inputs from Agencies)