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Jailer Discusses Kentucky Prisoner Freeing
Aired December 20, 2002 - 14:19 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: I'm told we're moving on now, to talking about the fact that they are on the streets with you and me. The prison doors have opened and the state of Kentucky has released 567 felons before they've completed their sentences. Kentucky released the nonviolent convicts because it's squeezed for money. Four other states are considering similar action, also for budget reasons.
County jailer James Kemper was under orders to release more than a dozen prisoners today. He joins us now from Franklin County, Kentucky. Sir, thanks for being with us.
JAMES KEMPER, KENTUCKY JAILER: You're welcome.
PHILLIPS: Well, first of all, the fact that they have been released, does this concern?
KEMPER: Yes, ma'am, it does.
PHILLIPS: Tell me why.
KEMPER: I think when they go out the door on a release of this sort, the recidivism rate is quite high. And they will be returning, unfortunately. And when they do come back, the possibility or the alternative is that they will be our responsibility. When I say our, I mean the county's responsibility, instead of the state.
PHILLIPS: So when you were letting these prisoners go, were they saying to you, hey, see you again? We'll probably be back? Or were they saying, hey, I'm good, I learned my lesson, I'm moving on with my life?
KEMPER: You know, they didn't say anything like see us again, just adios, not see you later. Just good-bye.
PHILLIPS: So, James, have you seen a lot of these individuals come and go before? The ones that were released today?
KEMPER: Yes, I have.
PHILLIPS: And what type of crimes are we talking about here?
KEMPER: Again, these are the Class D felons, the nonviolent criminals. Forgery, flagrant nonsupport, that sort of a crime.
PHILLIPS: Okay. You bring up a very good point, when we talk about low-level crimes. Let's listen to what your governor had to say today, and I want to get you to respond. This is Governor Patton.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GOV. PAUL PATTON, (D) KENTUCKY: First of all, these are nonviolent Class D felons, the lowest level of felony for sentence. They are nonsexual offenders, nonviolent offenders.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: All right. He says the word "nonviolent." But isn't domestic abuse considered a low-level crime?
KEMPER: I would not consider that a low-level crime. That's been at the forefront of the media for quite some time.
PHILLIPS: Well, were there prisoners released today that were in for domestic violence?
KEMPER: I believe there were some that were listed, yes, for violation of emergency protective orders and domestic violence, yes.
PHILLIPS: I can't imagine what's going through the minds of a wife that had to go through being beaten by her husband or boyfriend, and now back on the streets. I mean, is this one issue that needs to be dealt with when it comes to these decisions that are being made?
KEMPER: Yes. Again, I understand the budget situation as it is. And I sympathize with the state and with the governor, and I definitely do not envy his decision to do this. I just do not feel like that this is the appropriate way to handle this crisis. When you're talking about capping inmates, and you're going to have to -- when one comes in, you have to let another one out and the other in.
PHILLIPS: County jailer James Kemper. We sure appreciate you being so direct with us and joining us. I'm sure we'll be talking about this again, especially as it goes to other states. Thank you so much.
KEMPER: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 20, 2002 - 14:19 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: I'm told we're moving on now, to talking about the fact that they are on the streets with you and me. The prison doors have opened and the state of Kentucky has released 567 felons before they've completed their sentences. Kentucky released the nonviolent convicts because it's squeezed for money. Four other states are considering similar action, also for budget reasons.
County jailer James Kemper was under orders to release more than a dozen prisoners today. He joins us now from Franklin County, Kentucky. Sir, thanks for being with us.
JAMES KEMPER, KENTUCKY JAILER: You're welcome.
PHILLIPS: Well, first of all, the fact that they have been released, does this concern?
KEMPER: Yes, ma'am, it does.
PHILLIPS: Tell me why.
KEMPER: I think when they go out the door on a release of this sort, the recidivism rate is quite high. And they will be returning, unfortunately. And when they do come back, the possibility or the alternative is that they will be our responsibility. When I say our, I mean the county's responsibility, instead of the state.
PHILLIPS: So when you were letting these prisoners go, were they saying to you, hey, see you again? We'll probably be back? Or were they saying, hey, I'm good, I learned my lesson, I'm moving on with my life?
KEMPER: You know, they didn't say anything like see us again, just adios, not see you later. Just good-bye.
PHILLIPS: So, James, have you seen a lot of these individuals come and go before? The ones that were released today?
KEMPER: Yes, I have.
PHILLIPS: And what type of crimes are we talking about here?
KEMPER: Again, these are the Class D felons, the nonviolent criminals. Forgery, flagrant nonsupport, that sort of a crime.
PHILLIPS: Okay. You bring up a very good point, when we talk about low-level crimes. Let's listen to what your governor had to say today, and I want to get you to respond. This is Governor Patton.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GOV. PAUL PATTON, (D) KENTUCKY: First of all, these are nonviolent Class D felons, the lowest level of felony for sentence. They are nonsexual offenders, nonviolent offenders.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: All right. He says the word "nonviolent." But isn't domestic abuse considered a low-level crime?
KEMPER: I would not consider that a low-level crime. That's been at the forefront of the media for quite some time.
PHILLIPS: Well, were there prisoners released today that were in for domestic violence?
KEMPER: I believe there were some that were listed, yes, for violation of emergency protective orders and domestic violence, yes.
PHILLIPS: I can't imagine what's going through the minds of a wife that had to go through being beaten by her husband or boyfriend, and now back on the streets. I mean, is this one issue that needs to be dealt with when it comes to these decisions that are being made?
KEMPER: Yes. Again, I understand the budget situation as it is. And I sympathize with the state and with the governor, and I definitely do not envy his decision to do this. I just do not feel like that this is the appropriate way to handle this crisis. When you're talking about capping inmates, and you're going to have to -- when one comes in, you have to let another one out and the other in.
PHILLIPS: County jailer James Kemper. We sure appreciate you being so direct with us and joining us. I'm sure we'll be talking about this again, especially as it goes to other states. Thank you so much.
KEMPER: Thank you.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
