The commutation of inmates during the coronavirus pandemic by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has come under scrutiny in a report ordered by the state legislature. The report, produced by Kentucky’s Department of Information and Technology Services, found that of the 1,702 individuals whose sentences were commuted by Beshear in 2020, a majority of them, 882, went on to commit felonies.
Beshear had released inmates through two executive orders, one on April 3, 2020, and another on August 24, 2020. The report found that “68% of individuals from the April 3 release cohort and 69% of individuals from the August 24 cohort have had at least one criminal case, including at least a misdemeanor charge, filed against them since release.” This means that nearly 70% of inmates released by Beshear during the pandemic have gone on to re-offend.
The report was due to the legislature in July but was not produced until October 6, just a month before Beshear is up for reelection. Beshear’s opponent, Kentucky’s Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron, has made the commutations a key issue in the election. During a recent gubernatorial debate, Cameron mentioned the findings of the report, stating that the commutations have made “communities less safe, and our law enforcement’s job more difficult.”
On the other hand, Beshear has defended his actions by touting a crime report that inaccurately shows a decrease in crime over the last year. He also argues that the commutation statistics are irrelevant because many of the inmates were scheduled to be released that year anyway.
This issue has sparked a debate between the two candidates on the topic of crime. Beshear maintains a comfortable lead over Cameron, according to a recent poll in the state.
The report has shed light on the consequences of Beshear’s executive orders, with 882 inmates going on to commit felonies, including violent crimes such as assault and homicide. This has raised concerns about the safety of Kentucky communities and the effectiveness of Beshear’s decision to commute inmate sentences.
The commutations have been deemed a failure by many, going against Beshear’s intention of reducing the spread of COVID-19 in prisons. Instead, it has put the safety of the public at risk, as seen by the high rate of reoffenders.
Beshear’s decision to release a large number of inmates has faced criticism, with Cameron stating that it has made the job of law enforcement more difficult. The report has further fueled this criticism, giving Cameron more ammunition in the election battle.
In conclusion, the release of inmates by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear during the coronavirus pandemic has come under fire in a report by the state legislature. The report shows that a majority of the inmates released have gone on to commit felonies, raising concerns about the safety of the public and the effectiveness of Beshear’s decision. This issue has become a focus in the upcoming gubernatorial election, with Beshear defending his actions and his opponent using the report findings to criticize him.
