Lawmakers allowing repeat offenders to roam free
9:53 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Many criminals have grown used to going in and out of lockup. It happens more than 1,000 times a year in Kansas, according to one lawmaker: Criminals released from jail and more innocent Kansans fall victim.
Carol Cott woke up to police surrounding her home last August. A man had broken into her garage and was hiding from officers in the trunk of her car.
“The whole thing was so surreal,” Cott said.
Police arrested Jason Oldham, a man they said broke into at least four homes.
In April 2004, Oldham was sentenced to probation. Several months later he was arrested for assault and sentenced to six months in jail. Last August he was arrested for breaking into three homes, but released. Police said he broke into another home. Now he’s back in jail, awaiting a Thursday court hearing.
“I couldn’t believe that he got arrested, got out, did it again and got arrested,” said Cott. “That’s enough.”
Even if convicted of 10 theft and burglary charges, a judge could again sentence Oldham to probation.
Orman Talbert’s been in and out of the Shawnee County Jail 43 times. Here’s a glimpse at his record:
- Sentenced to probation in 1987 for burglary
- Sentenced to probation in 1994 for burglary
- After more burglaries, he was sent to prison for more than a year in 1995
- In 1997, he was again sentenced to prison
- In 2000, probation
- In 2003, prison
- Again in 2006, prison
- In 2007, he was arrested for three car break-ins
- Tonight, he’s back on the streets.
District Attorney Robert Hecht said it’s frustrating prosecuting the same people over and over again.
“We are spending so much of our time and effort dealing with repeat property offenders and they literally are going through the system in a revolving door,” Hecht said.
The state’s sentencing guidelines don’t require judges to send criminals convicted of property crimes to prison.
But because of that, Hecht said we suffer. It means more property crime in our community and it’s leaving innocent Topekans frustrated.
“They’re getting away with it and we’re letting them,” Cott said.
Patton's bill
Read the entire text of Rep. Joe Patton's bill to strengthen sentences for repeat offenders here.
Rep. Joe Patton, R-Topeka, is trying to strengthen sentences for repeat offenders. He’s introduced legislation that would require judges to lock up repeat felons; right now judges have an option.
“If an offender realizes that there’s never a consequence to this actions, if he’s never going to be held accountable, then that will influence his behavior,” Patton said.
But, Patton’s bill isn’t getting very far. We questioned Rep. Michael O’Neal, D-Hutchinson, and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who’s holding the bill up.
“One of the problems with that is, it may sound good on its face but it has huge prison bed impact implications,” O’Neal said. “We have limited prison bed space.”
O’Neal is among lawmakers who say only the most serious offenders should be sent to prison.
“Something has to be done,” Cott said. “We’re the taxpaying citizens, not these people who commit the crimes. They could care less.”
Comments
Note: ktka.com does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor vouch for the factual claims made therein. Nor do we review every post.
Feb. 21, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)critterk (anonymous)
The same thing happens in juvenile courts too, that is if it even gets to court. A slap on the wrist and they are good to go. We spend alot of money every year on alot of things we don't need like new sports fields and such why can't money be spent on new low risk facilities for these so called non violent criminals. Many if not most of them become violent in time so why must we the victims have to wait until we are hurt to get these problems off the street. I have seen too much stupidity in the way our law enforcement agencies function from the protective services to the judges. Just try and get someone to check out a negligent/ drunken / abusive parent. They actually call and make an appointment. How is that for protection of our children. So for judges to decide that the prisons and jails are too full to keep putting these criminals in is exactly how I expect Kansas to function..Stupid. there is little hope for us good citizens as long as we are 2nd on the list of what is important. Only Criminals have any rights you know. We really don't count for much at all.
Post a comment
(Requires free registration.)