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.

If, indeed, those released under the clemency process go on to commit the murders or robberies police claim, it suggests flaws we cannot fix by opposing pardons. It could be the police succeed in prosecuting dangerous criminals for minor crimes. Improving their investigative capacity solves this problem. Or that corruption has led to illegal prisoner releases.

Illegal releases

There is evidence the Prisons Department releases individuals not eligible for presidential pardons. (Last month the High Court in Kericho sent two men back to jail after they were erroneously set free on Madaraka Day.) Could they also be providing the presidential advisors with misleading information on parolees?

Vague complaints are useless: Find the problem and fix it.