Posted by Ashley O’Connell.
Relating to the topic of criminal law, I found an article published on November 11, 2015 from FoxNews.com called, “‘The biggest sham’: Sheriffs fume at mass release of 6,000 federal inmates.” Numerous sheriffs, policeman, and local community attendees shared their concern in regards to their safety and their thoughts on the release of 6,112 inmates. These inmates were released from a federal prison and has caused worry for citizens in early November. The release took place at the El Reno federal Correctional institution in Oklahoma.
Participants of the criminal justice reform have stated how the process of the inmates being released is being highly monitored and “handled responsibly.” The idea of the inmates getting released came from a discussion from the U.S Sentencing Commission when they decided to “reduce sentences for most drug trafficking offenses.” Most of the criminals that were released had been in federal prison for nine years. In the article it states, “[Y]ou don’t have to be a sheriff to realize that a felon after nine years in jail isn’t going to be adding value to the community. A third are illegals and felons so they can’t work.” Reading this quote from the article opened my eyes and made me realize that I am not the only one with this opinion, and even sheriffs feel the same way but they cannot do anything about it.
The 6,112 inmates who were released are only a portion of the total number by the end of the year. Currently, there are 46,000 more cases in which are being investigated and reviewed. Of the number being reviewed along with the amount of people who were released, there is an uproar of concern of whether the inmates are going to be violent or not. A great point about this is brought up, “If the Obama administration is not capable of making honest and prudent decisions in securing our borders, how can we trust them to make the right decision on the release of prisons who may return to a life of crime? I’d be amazed if the 6,000 . . . being released are non-violent.” I agree with this statement in regards to the violence; I believe that there will be a handful of people who will be violent.
Criminal justice advocates disagree with the Sheriffs’ opinion and do not see the issue in releasing the inmates. Their defense was that there are always inmates that are being released and the 6,112 inmates this month are not going to make a difference. The article is closed with a great quote, “There are many sheriffs feeling as though the administration will go through the motions of asking the questions but really not care what the opinion or expert advice of law enforcement is.” With this closing quote, I completely agree with everything that was said in this article. I do believe that the law enforcement is not being taken seriously, and I am afraid of what will happen if more inmates get released on a daily basis.
Ashely is an accounting major at the Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall University, Class of 2017.