Associated Press
More than 450 inmates walked out the doors of prisons across Oklahoma on Monday as part of what state officials say is the largest single-day mass commutation in U.S. history.
The release of inmates, all with convictions for low-level drug and property crimes, resulted from a bill signed by new Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt. The bill retroactively applied misdemeanor sentences for simple drug possession and low-level property crimes that state voters approved in 2016. More
Story to appear sometime in 2020: “Oklahoma authorities say they are completely baffled as to what caused a recent and sudden upsurge in crime around the state…”
Lock the doors!
Another idiotic idea spawned by the wimpy Jared Kushner.
On the other hand, they may want to stay out so bad, they will never do anything to get locked up again including addressing all police officers as Sir or Mame.
What exactly is a “low level property crime?”
You violate someone’s property, you violate THEM.
However, any increase in crime may be mitigated by Oklahoma’s new open carry/concealed carry law that lets anyone who isn’t a criminal carry a weapon.
The fallacy with the “low level property (or drug possession) crimes”, is that these are the crimes that the more serious crimes were plea-bargained down to by sleazy DAs and defense attorneys.
Tony R is right…each conviction was probably the end result of anywhere from 10 to 100 associated charges, with the rest dropped as a result of a plea bargain. Only around 5% of criminal cases actually go to court.
How much would 450 bullets have cost? 🤔
I wonder if Oklahoma’s social services and parole officers were ready for the sudden spike in demand for their services. The state may be saving money on reducing the number of inmates, but I wonder how much more the state’s social services will be spiked by this mass release?
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. Luke 16:10 (NIV) This is still true and will never change.
You know who this helps?
Low level drug and property criminals.
The Legal Industrial Complex needs more money. What better way than to release a bunch of known criminals, and allow the police to recapture them, lawyers, court fee$$$$$$$$!
BONANZA!
Left out of the calculation is the plea deal. These people did worse things but lawyers and judges barter down the more serious crimes in exchange for a lighter sentence and a guilty plea.
Oklahoma is OK.
Until tomorrow. Just watch.
@Dr. Tar November 5, 2019 at 4:48 pm
> how much more the state’s social services will be spiked by this mass release?
That’s defined, by professional betters, as a “booming economy”?
Democrats are obviously desperate for votes.