Violent Convicts To Be Released Early From NC Prisons

Each of these prisoners have been denied parole multiple times. They have also had numerous infractions; meaning they have gotten in trouble while in prison.

So why are these offenders being released early from jail? Because they were all sentenced back in the 1970s when a life sentence meant 80 years. In addition, another law allowed for inmates to reduce their time in jail by more than half.

A 1974 law stated that a life sentence was equal to 80 years. In 1977, the law changed life to mean the life of the prisoner.

The state's Fair Sentencing Act of 1981 allowed for the prisoners to reduce their time in jail. This act had a retroactive provision that allowed those sentenced to life between 1974 and 1977 to cut the life sentence in half to 40 years. The Act also allowed for them to reduce their jail time for good behavior and other credits they could earn.

Basically, inmates can earn a day off of their sentencing for everyday of good behavior. They can also earn credits to reduce their jail time for participating in a work or other program activities. If they receive an infraction, then they can take away some of the credits they have earned.

The reason these 20 inmates are going to be release and dozens more in the coming years, is because one of the inmates took the state to court over the laws mentioned above and won. In 1975, Bobby Bowden murdered two Fayetteville men and was convicted to life.

He recently took his case to the court in Cumberland County and the court ruled in favor of the state. Bowden appealed to the NC Court of Appeal and that court ruled in his favor. The state appealed to the NC Supreme Court and that court upheld the ruling of the Appeals court.

Like Bowden, all of the other 18 men and one woman scheduled to be released were convicted of violent crimes such as murder and rape. They have all been denied parole in the past and seven of them have even been on death row; including Bowden. The majority of them are in their 50's or 60's now.

The concern most people have is that there is no evidence that they have been reformed from their time in prison and that their release will endanger public safety. When they are released they will not have any monitoring or supervision.

Officials from the state down to the local levels are trying to find a way to prevent these inmates from being released. Unfortunately, there is probably little they can do.

In a statement released by her office, Gov Bev Perdue released this statement; "I'm appalled that the State of North Carolina is being forced to release prisoners who have committed the most heinous of crimes, without any review of their cases. I don't believe the General Assembly's intent in 1974 was to let these violent offenders out of prison early. Releasing these potentially dangerous criminals is not in the best interest of the state or our citizens."

The General Assembly tightened the law up even more in 1994. With the passing of that law, anyone receiving a life sentence means they will die in prison. Only those who are convicted of first degree murder can now receive a life sentence.

Unless someone finds a way to stop their release, next Thursday 20 violent offenders will be released early from NC prisons. Dozens more will be released in years to come. This leaves their victims' families and the whole state wondering how and why has the system failed them.

Written by Denise Clay