Rantz: Gov. Inslee releasing sex offender, gang members from jail over coronavirus
Apr 26, 2020, 7:43 PM | Updated: Oct 8, 2024, 6:45 am
Gov. Jay Inslee puts out his glasses to better spot inequities. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Using a public health crisis for cover, Governor Jay Inslee is releasing a sex offender, multiple gang members, and other dangerous criminals under his coronavirus prisoner release plan. He previously promised that violent offenders would stay behind bars.
Last week, the Supreme Court of Washington State was one vote shy of releasing serial killers. Instead, we get other degenerates at a time when some people think they won the battle to keep criminals behind bars.
Coronavirus prisoner release list is scary
The Department of Corrections (DOC) updated their site with a list of prisoner names up for release due to concerns that crowding could spread the coronavirus, even though we’re nowhere near crisis-levels in our prisons.
The list includes a who’s who of dangerous criminals. Felons serving time for illegal possession of a firearm are set for release, but we’re supposed to pretend they’re the non-violent felon with guns kind of people. Prolific burglars will also be released, but surely this time they won’t contribute to the ever-increasing crime in our neighborhoods.
According to KHQ-TV in Spokane, two convicted sex offenders were on the list.
One, Bethany Masterson, has been removed from the list after they brought attention to the issue. Still up for release according to the document? Milo M. McCune. The crime the DOC lists is Harassment (Threats to Kill). He definitely doesn’t sound violent; perhaps he threatened to kill with his charm and grace. Two others with the same crime listed are set for release.
KHQ also reports that McCune “was caught exposing himself to a group of children near Regal Elementary.” The DOC defended releasing him early because he would have been released soon, anyway, based on his sentence. They’re so compassionate to let him out early.
Also on the list? Eight criminals who are “confirmed gang members” according to KHQ.
It’s always been dangerous
The coronavirus prisoner release plan was always dangerous, despite Inslee’s implication that releasing these criminals wouldn’t pose a significant safety risk to the public. It’s already difficult to earn a prison sentence in Washington; it’s near impossible to get a lengthy sentence even if you’re a hardened and dangerous criminal.
Criminals don’t usually see time after one mistake — as examples in Seattle will show you, it can take dozens of times before you spend more than a few weeks in jail.
Many of the criminals who are serving find themselves with shorter prison sentences because they’ve plead down on charges. Meaning, they plea to a lower charge, spend less time in jail, and don’t end up earning a harsher sentence for their harsher crime.
Thought we have a drug OD problem?
And while Inslee will pretend to take seriously our state’s alarming drug overdose crisis, several drug dealers are being released. Mary Darlene Spencer, for example, is listed with the following crime: “Delivery or Possession with Intent to Deliver Amphetamine, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, or methamphetamine, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers.”
Don’t worry, though. It’s not just drug dealers who get a pass.
Have multiple DUIs? You’re being released too. George G. Castilla Grados is up for release. According to the DOC document, he is serving time for “Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Drug (3 or more priors within 10 years).” He definitely doesn’t seem like a threat to the public.
Don’t drop the fight
The Supreme Court ruling that could have released the Green River Killer was seen as a victory. But folks shouldn’t lose track of what’s at stake here. Winning that case only means that most prisoners will not be released all at once.
Inslee is moving forward with his coronavirus prisoner release program and many dangerous criminals will get a pass. It just won’t happen overnight.
Sure, Gary Ridgway stays behind bars. But someone with multiple DUIs, predatory drug dealers, and felons with a penchant for illegally possessing guns are being released. We know what Ridgway looks like. I have no clue what these other criminals look like. I’m not sure we’re safer just because we’re keeping Ridgway behind bars.
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