Free Republic

TAMPA, Florida — An inmate who was released from jail due to fears of coeronavirus spread has been re-arrested on a murder charge. Deputies say 26-year-old Joseph Edwards Williams commited second-degree murder the day after he was released. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says Williams fatally shot a man near 81st Street South and Ash Avenue just hours into his freedom. He was previously arrested for possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. More than 150 inmates have been released in Hillsborough County. “There is no question Joseph Williams took advantage of this health emergency to commit crimes while...

Less than a year after state lawmakers requested a probe into skyrocketing early prison releases, the Colorado Department of Corrections has reported that discretionary prison releases shot up again by a double-digit percentage. During the 2007-08 fiscal year, which ended June 30, the parole board released 5,596 inmates compared to 5,069 the previous year, an increase of more than 10 percent... Last year’s parole releases are nearly double the 2,813 discretionary releases during the 2006-07 fiscal year, the final year the panel was entirely appointed by Republican Gov. Bill Owens. A prisoner’s release on parole is “discretionary” when it comes...