Releasing Inmates?

The trend rising among states is releasing inmates convicted of less serious crimes during the crisis right now.

I have to say I am extremely ambivalent about this.

I have been an advocate for less harsh sentencing of minor crimes for many years. Especially non-violent drug-related crimes such as possession or minor dealing. Those are people who don’t belong in jails and prisons. Then there are those who are incarcerated for not paying traffic fines.

The claim being touted is that releasing them reduces risk of contracting illness. I will say this is likely true. Though being incarcerated any period of time recently may have exposed them already and now they will carry the illness back into the community.

I suspect the real motivation here to be financial. If inmates become ill while in custody, the cost of treatment falls on the municipality, the state or the federal government. Release them and the cost falls on the individual.

Many will claim this is reasonable. However, they are being released into an environment where jobs are not available for hiring. Millions are being laid off, either temporarily or permanently. Anyone being released either was unemployed to begin with or they lost their employment on being convicted. So nearly 100% of the inmates released are unemployed.

For those who were convicted of theft, placing them in the position of no income and no chance for an income by legal means increasing the chances they will offend again…