New Hampshire Sheriffs, Police Chiefs Join Stephen In Call For Immediate Repeal Of Law That Allows Violent Sex Offenders Out Of Prison Early

Press Release

New Hampshire law enforcement leaders today joined John Stephen, Republican nominee for Governor, in calling for an immediate repeal of a law, championed by Governor Lynch, that allows violent criminals, including sexual predators, out of prison on early parole.

"Across New Hampshire, law enforcement has made abundantly clear that they cannot support Governor Lynch's misguided policy of letting violent felons out of prison early," Stephen remarked. "As a former prosecutor who helped to ensure that we have tough truth in sentencing laws, I am outraged by this new law. Governor Lynch's new law erodes our public safety by putting these sex offenders and other violent criminals back on the street."

"As someone who is committed to keeping our streets safe, there is no way I can support any law that allows early release of hard core criminals back into the street for law enforcement to deal with again," stated Hillsborough Country Sheriff Jim Hardy. "This new law was originally proposed and pitched as a program to release non-violent offenders providing that they participated in counseling programs, obtained their GED, or took advantage of trade programs. Apparently, the original proposal took a distinctly different turn. This new law undercuts past collaborative accomplishments and efforts to make our state safer and should be repealed."

"It's unfair to the county taxpayers to be expected to incur the cost and the additional workload to hold and transport prisoners who are going to be paroled as a result of this new bill," said Merrimack County Sheriff Scott Hilliard. "Public safety must be paramount in this matter and this law does not include the proper safeguards to put these individuals back on the street. The state should repeal this bill immediately."

"This law was fast tracked and pushed through the House and Senate then signed by the governor with unprecedented speed; their casual indifference to public safety is shocking -- if you want to know how bad this bill is just ask a convict," noted Carroll County Sheriff Chris Conley.

"We need to keep our communities safe, so letting violent criminals, including sexual offenders, out of prison early on parole makes no sense at all," added Auburn Police Chief Ed Picard. "Our strict truth in sentencing laws are exactly why we are the safest state in the nation. This new law undercuts that important principle and the legislature and governor should repeal it now."

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