Louisiana's outgoing governor, Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards, has recently pardoned 56 inmates, including dozens of convicted murderers, as part of his efforts to address the state's overcrowded prisons.
With a staggering incarceration rate of 1,094 people per 100,000, Edwards has made reducing the prison population a top priority during his final term in office.
In an interview with Louisiana news outlet NOLA.com, Edwards expressed his concerns about the state's approach to crime, stating, "For as long as I can remember, Louisiana reflexively responded to an increase in crime by putting more people in prison and keeping them there longer." He emphasized that this approach has not made the state safer and that there is no data to support the idea that crime rates have increased due to criminal justice reforms.
According to a list compiled by local outlet Fox 8, the pardoned inmates include individuals convicted of arson, robbery, and drug dealing. Shockingly, 40 convicted murderers have also been granted pardons by Edwards in the past three months. These released inmates had been convicted of various crimes, such as aggravated arson, possession of Schedule II narcotics, aggravated kidnapping, theft, first-degree robbery, perjury, and armed robbery.
Louisiana has one of the highest incarceration rates per capita in the world, highlighting the urgency of addressing the issue. Edwards, who has been serving as governor since 2016, was re-elected to a second term in 2019, becoming the first Democratic governor to win re-election in the state since 1975.
Edwards' replacement, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, was elected in October after securing over 50% of the vote threshold in a jungle primary, avoiding a run-off.
The pardons issued by Edwards have sparked debate and raised concerns about public safety. Critics argue that releasing convicted murderers and other serious offenders may pose a risk to society. However, supporters of criminal justice reform applaud Edwards' efforts to address the state's over-populated prisons and advocate for alternative approaches to punishment.
As Louisiana transitions to new leadership, the impact of these pardons and the ongoing conversation surrounding criminal justice reform will continue to be a topic of discussion and scrutiny.
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