70% of criminals went on to reoffend after being released early by Dem Kentucky Gov Beshear: Report

Approximately 70% of the criminals who were released early by Kentucky Democratic Governor Andy Beshear to prevent prison overcrowding went on to commit additional offenses after their release, an October state report found.

Kentucky State Representative Kevin Bratcher (R) in June requested that the Department of Information and Technology Services’ Research and Statistics provide an updated report on how many criminals released early by the governor went on to commit more crimes.

Beshear released approximately 1,700 criminals in April and August 2020 to prevent overcrowding in the state’s prison system. He noted that he was concerned that close living quarters could spread the COVID-19 virus.

Following the first release, which included criminals considered medically vulnerable, Beshear stated, “I believe the last round of commutations was fairly successful at getting people back in society and making sure they are healthy, and we are looking for the same here.”

“I wish each of those individuals a better life moving forward, one that is constructive, one that they can find purpose in, whether that be faith, family or a good job. Let’s help make sure we can work with these individuals and give second chances,” he added.

A report from 2021, requested by Representative Jason Nemes (R-Louisville) and released by the Administrative Office of the Courts, raised concerns about the governor’s decision. The report found that 553 of the 1,704 criminals released by Beshear were later charged with felonies. It was unclear from the report how many individuals were convicted.

Following the report’s release, Beshear defended his decision and noted that only non-violent, non-sexual offenders were considered for commutations.

“When COVID hit, and we saw how it moved through prisons, we made what I believe were reasonable decisions,” the governor stated in October 2021.

Beshear called for the state to perform a deeper analysis, stating that he was confident it would “show the recidivism of this group is actually lower than our average.”

The latest state report, published October 6, 2023, found that 68% of the individuals released in April 2020 and 69% released in August 2020 “have had at least one criminal case including at least a misdemeanor charge filed against them since release.”

The report found that most of the individuals who committed felony crimes were charged with drug or property-related offenses, and most of those who committed misdemeanors were charged with motor vehicle, public order, or property-related offenses.

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