Prisoner release raises questions

Due to the novel world pandemic we are experiencing, known as COVID-19, our city and state leaders have made many decisions to keep us safe. This applies to all citizens, including criminals.

Is it right, fair or just for those who have committed crimes against our citizens and are serving jail time for those crimes to be released out into the public due to the ‘potential’ threat of COVID-19? It has been proven that after criminals are released many will become repeat offenders. COVID-19 has many of us struggling with the “new norm.”

People who are now jobless, like small business owners and nonessential workers, are worried and struggling to make ends meet. And now, Washingtonians are being forced to be vigilant with the reintroduction of convicted criminals. Is this the right action for our citizens?

Our elected law enforcement officials have said, “After the release due to COVID, we’ve seen a triple-digit crime increase. We just released a lot of people; a lot of people that shouldn’t have been.” In addition to all of the worry and uncertainty in our communities right now, our law-abiding citizens are being forced to take precautions to make sure they will not be victimized by an early release criminal. What measures will they take?

How would you protect your family? Do two wrongs make a right? Are our elected officials sending the wrong message to law-abiding Washingtonians? Many questions to ponder. I wish I had the answers.

Sofie Presho

Spokane