Stephen Repeats Call For Repeal Of Law Allowing Sex Offenders Early Release From Prison At Event With Governor Haley Barbour

Press Release

At a press conference with Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, John Stephen, Republican nominee for Governor, today reiterated his call for an immediate repeal of a new law (SB 500) that allows sexual offenders and other violent criminals to be let free before the end of their sentence. Barbour, the Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, who called New Hampshire "one of the best chances in the country to elect a new Republican governor," also said the new law "makes no sense."

"As a former prosecutor, I still find it unfathomable that Governor Lynch would champion and support a bill that puts violent criminals, including sexual predators, back on the streets early," Stephen said. "We need to repeal this bill immediately, and the legislature should use the veto session on October 13th to do just that. The families of New Hampshire deserve the peace of mind to know that these criminals will serve their sentence, instead of seeing a daily horrifying reminder of new prisoner who are being set free before their term is up."

Saturday, in the New Hampshire Union Leader, Lynch, through a spokesman, said that releasing these criminals early, makes "New Hampshire safer."

"Governor Lynch needs to look into the eyes of the victims of these criminals and explain to them just how letting felons like child rapists and drug dealers out early makes the state safer," Stephen added. "As someone who has put these dangerous prisoners behind bars, I know that the real way to make New Hampshire safer is to keep these convicts in prison. As Governor, I will demand that the legislature overturn this misguided law and restore Truth In Sentencing."

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