DC City Council Wants To Release Violent Felons from Prison Early Amid Crime Wave
The Washington, D.C., City Council on Tuesday approved a measure to allow certain violent felons to apply for early release from prison, despite a crime wave in the nation’s capital.
The bill passed with a 12-1 veto-proof majority, and will now head to Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser’s desk for approval, according to The Washington Times.
The measure allows inmates who committed a crime between the ages of 18 and 25 and have spent over 15 years in prison to petition for early release, The Times reported.
Washington, D.C., has seen 194 murders so far this year, compared to 160 in all of 2019 — a 20 percent rise.
Motor vehicle theft has seen a 48 percent increase, and arson is up 63 percent.
Approximately 300 felons would be eligible for the release program upon demonstration of rehabilitation.
If Bowser signs the bill, the law will still need congressional approval, as is customary for legislation in Washington.
Criminal justice reform groups like Families Against Mandatory Minimums praised the bill.
“This new law will not let everyone out of prison, but it will stop us from throwing everyone away,” FAMM president Kevin Ring told The Times.
“No one is safer when people who pose no risk to the public remain in prison. In order to reduce unnecessary incarceration, reunite families, and give people second chances, we have to revisit extreme sentences.”
Washington, D.C., Police Chief Peter Newsham disagreed with the City Council’s decision.
“I can disagree, respectfully disagree, with the passage of this legislation, and I think I will continue to disagree with it,” Newsham said.
“But at the end of the day, as a law enforcement officer in the District of Columbia, I’ll have to abide by it.”
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