Is anyone else a bit fearful about so many inmates being released into the community? If you have had a run-in with someone who got put behind bars, you might want to check to see if that inmate has been released.
There are 3 inmates who have interacted in my life in this past decade. Two have been released recently, and the third I'm not sure about, but I'm not worried about him. Just the first two.
- A resgistered sex offender, known to me due to an altercation in my parking lot some years ago, just moved back into my condo building where I might cross paths with him in the parking lot or on my way to the trash.
The last known address posted on his sex offender page is still the prison he was recently released from on another island, not the address here in the building.
I was under the impression all sex offenders need to register with police regarding their current address, so the neighborhood can be warned. I’ve mentioned this to our homeowners association, but there doesn’t seem to be anything they can or want do about it.
This building has a mix of full time residents and vacation rental visitors, who come and go, some with teenage girls, the age this person was convicted of sexually assaulting. At this time, we don't have many people here, and no teenagers.
It’s a good thing we are on Stay Home Orders and so I’m not leaving my apartment much and the swimming pool is closed. I have told our resident manager about my fears and a bit about why - and also another neighbor who remembers when I had this altercation with this fellow and knows the story behind his incarceration.
While this fellow was in prison, his family members reached out to me and “buried the hatchet” so to speak, smoothing things over, because they needed my help with a homeowners association issue. (The parents live in another state - and only visit in the summers.)
So, the other day, when I was surprised that their son, this inmate, was released and moved into my building (to a condo unit the parent’s own) I sent an email to the parents, in another state, regarding my concern and fears about my safety. I’ve been on good terms with the parents and other son who lives on my island (the good one, the brother jokes) so I felt comfortable sending an email, our usual way of communicating when not in person.
This fellow (offender) always had a chip on his shoulder and was always looking for someone (a female) to take his anger out on. So, I wanted to know if the parents could share any thoughts or information that might make me feel more comfortable having him here, since they are well aware of the altercation between their son and me, before he was incarcerated.
I sent that email 3 days ago. I haven’t received a reply yet or phone call. That indicates to me that no, they don’t have any words of wisdom or anything to share to make me feel safe having him here in my building, where I will likely run into him. So far, he seems to be keeping to himself. (I'm not sure if he has any ankle monitor or anything.)
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Then there is another inmate, also recently released, who emailed me earlier this month with an apology to me. I didn’t respond. I do not want any interaction with this fellow who continually gets arrested for assaults and battery of an elder. Last I saw of him, he was being hauled off by police after I called 911. While I didn’t press charges after a traumatic experience in my apartment a few years ago, it was only a matter of days before he assaulted a family member later in the week, and then twice more last year, plus had a drug offense, according to his arrest record which I just looked up yesterday.
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There is one other inmate, I haven’t heard if he’s released yet, probably not, though I can easily ask a mutual friend. He shot his roommate a few years ago, for leaving crumbs in the kitchen, and was only sentenced last year, so likely not out yet. I’m sure he has no animosity toward me, so I’m not worried at all about him.
Crazy times, when we’re all on lockdown, but the criminals have been let out. I realize it is to keep the prison population safe from Covid-19, but it seems strange to put the general public in danger because of the release of these folks.
I just needed to write out this strange turn of events, and am curious if anyone else is suddenly confronted with folks recently released from prison that you never thought you’d see again.
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4 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Not anymore than usual. Only around 8 % of inmates are serving life sentences so chances are you've crossed paths with scades of former inmates before without even knowing it.
1of5
Level 8
Apr 25, 2020
0
Not anymore than usual? You do realize this isn't usual.. Letting prisoners out early.. Violent or not...
1of5:
@Cutiebeauty yes, I do realize that this isn't usual.
I have lots of issues as to who gets locked up and why. I also know that for a 1st world country we lead in incarceration rate using a seriously flawed system that routinely let's dangerous people out while keeping harmless ones behind bars.
So no more than usual.
We need less people locked up in this country. It's not OK. I did read they were mostly letting white collar crime people out instead of drug offenders. Kinda wrong in my opinion considering the white collar crimes actually involve ripping people off.
Sorry you have someone living near you you are fearful of. He may have just been released because he was done.
It's not OK to just keep all the mentally ill people in prison. Which is how the system seems to work.
MsAl
Level 8
Apr 25, 2020
0
Some inmates actually prefer prison and don't do well on the outside. One (no deceased) inmate I used to visit in Prison years ago did his time, got released, couldn't handle life on the outside, so re-offended by robbing a bank with a finger in his pocket (no gun) and fled on foot where he was promptly caught, just so he could go back to prison where life was simpler for him. Food, a simple job, daily exercise and sports, movie nights, etc, even psychological help when needed. I was not afraid when he was released, except for him.
There are all kinds of people, but I'm really only talking here about the sudden release of many inmates due to covid-19 who feel they have scores to settle, or anger to take out on people. The two I'm worried about are violent and I've experienced traumatic events because of them.
The one now living in my building, I don't really know much about, and whether he got any help for his anger issues. - The other who emailed me with an apology said he got professional help, and I don't know where he is living. He said he's doing much better and said he wanted to make things right. I didn't answer. - The third, who is likely still in prison, is the one I'm least afraid of, as he has a large network of supportive people on the outside, and I'm sure he learned a lesson, but his sentence was fair and he should carry it out. If he's released early because of his age during this covid-19 pandemic, I'd actually be happy for him. A second lease on life.
I live within walking distance of my county jail, where there are often inmates who escape. I never am worried about them, since I have had no direct personal involvement, so I don't worry about being a target of violence, though I do check my locks twice on those nights when there are reports of escapees, haha!
From what I hear, only non violent prisoners are being released.. I personally don't think any should be released until they served out their sentences... They could be infected by the virus in or out of jail...
Cutiebeauty
Level 9
Apr 25, 2020
1
The govt has an obligation to provide basic safety and security for anyone who is a ward of the state, be it in jail or prison, or in foster care. They have the same rights to safety that you and i do, so literally keeping them from being able access fresh air and hand washing and non crowded conditions, under current condirions, is unethical.
@MarkiusMahamius give the prisoners more soap then...
@Cutiebeauty I'm surprised you find it so easy to dismiss the basic human rights of fellow humans. The vast majority of inmates who would be released are non violent and serving fairly short sentances. Those who will remain lockedupwillbe better protected. They're not on deathrow. They deserve to serve their sentances and return to society, not die of an infectious disease.
@MarkiusMahamius
"I'm surprised you find it so easy to dismiss the basic human rights of fellow humans."
I'm not dismissing basic human rights... They were tried, convicted, and sentenced... Next step, prison... No get out of jail free card... The whole justice system is being overlooked and minimalized imo... Give the prisoners masks and gloves etc. Transport them in smaller groups.. There are many other options available besides letting them off the hook... What about their victims?
@Cutiebeauty I guess I see it differently. I don't think it helps me feel better or safer if I know someone is locked up. But going backwards... almost every proposed release is only looking at people locked up for non violent crimes. Those people usually have no victims. That doesnt mean these are all people who have been non violent their whole lives. But if they have served some previous sentence and are now incarcerated for something else, a d get released per guidelines, that shouldn't be an issue. They already competed their violent sentance. There would be double jeopardy where they get punished twice.
@MarkiusMahamius can you please give me an example of a victimless crime? And please elaborate on this double jeopardy issue you introduced into the discussion.. Seems irrelevant...
@Cutiebeauty getting stopped for speeding (something that won't land you in jail) but getting caught with weed
The Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides: "[N]or shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb..."[1] The four essential protections included are prohibitions against, for the same offense:
retrial after an acquittal;
retrial after a conviction;
retrial after certain mistrials; and
multiple punishment
@MarkiusMahamius speeding, since it doesn't involve arrest or imprisonment, isn't in the scope of this discussion 
good try..
@MarkiusMahamius I know what double jeopardy is.. How are inmates being retried, punished twice, etc by keeping them in prison for their current crimes?
@Cutiebeauty no but it's an example of how a person who didn't do anything could end up in jail (for simple posession, which especially in the 90s, can carry a very heavy sentance
@MarkiusMahamius OK, I understand.. Still not in the scope of our discussion
@Cutiebeauty saying a prisoner should stay in jail based on past crimes (like in the example above). Thia discussion is way beyond tou, and I'm not "trying anything. I'm sorry you see it as a petty contest about winning an argument. These are actual humans with legal rights, and multiple court rulings on their side. Neither of our opinions matter, but I'd rather talk about the reality of how this is going to work, not "try" to conduct a survey about who is right. In just surprised that your so unaware is all.
@MarkiusMahamius "saying a prisoner should stay in jail based on past crimes (like in the example above)"
What? Where was that stated? Please show me...
"I'm sorry you see it as a petty contest about winning an argument"
This statement is very indictative of a person who is a right fighter . Google it.. I'm just having a discussion here.
"Neither of our opinions matter, "
So... Why then... ?
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