Early Prison Release In Prison

Federal prison populations have shrank by thousands since November of 2015 due to new sentencing guidelines. The U.S. Sentencing Commission voted in 2014 to reduce the federal drug guideline sentences to try to control prison overcrowding and/or excessive punishments. Releasing these inmates has been a much-debated topic for a long time and many people have conflicting beliefs on the outcome of the issue. Based on my research, early prison release could be a good thing. Half of all inmates are in prison due to drug charges. To many, these long sentencing times are too harsh for these offenses and these nonviolent inmates are taking up space that other harmful criminals could be occupying instead. The United States has the highest incarcerated …show more content…
Former federal prosecutor Bill Otis attacked the early release programs, stating that crime will only increase and asking who would be responsible for the release and harm done. Most would say that probation could be a solution to his worries, but people against early release believe otherwise. Increased probation could put a heavy strain on probation offices with so many prisoners being released. In another case, a lot of released inmates would need a place to stay- a halfway house- until they can afford their own place. With early release becoming popular, many halfway houses will be packed and leaving some prisoners without spots. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter’s plan to save the state millions with early prison release has exposed far worse risks. The first batch of inmates paroled included violent felons, and sex offenders; all of which people were led to believe wouldn’t be released. After finding this out, parole board chief David Michaud began to carefully screen the candidates for early release and refused to release 80 percent of those eligible. Due to this, the state wouldn’t save nearly as much as it aimed for, but letting someone out of prison early and not being sure it is safe to do so is much worse. While there is evidence backing early prison release being both positive and negative, I believe that releasing certain inmates from prison could be a good thing. Early prison release should be for inmates with nonviolent offenses, such as those with minor drug charges. Inmates with violent, heinous crimes, such as sex offenders or murderers, should not be released until their time is served and they have proven not to be a risk to society any