Stop whining about pardons, fix problem

In the wake of every presidential pardon of petty offenders, police officers are quick to say the releases will lead to a rise in crime. No evidence of this is offered, leading us to think this may be a handy excuse. If the force has evidence serious crime spikes following the pardons, the public should get to see it.

Close to a third of the people held in jails and prisons, according to Planning ministry records, are there for violating liquor laws. It is these people, not hardened criminals, who make up the majority of ‘petty offenders’ released on public holidays on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy. The team, which includes the Attorney-General, Justice minister and other eminent professionals is hardly likely to free dangerous criminals on purpose.