Freedom for Shamus Patton after three years of an eight-year sentence is as criminal as he is. To serve less than 40 percent of a prison term is more than "disturbing," as indicated by the June 21 page one headline.
The law passed during the past legislative session is marginally better, but still miles from where it ought to be. The General Assembly enacted a law requiring convicts to serve a minimum of 75 percent of their sentences, even with good behavior and completion of certain programs.
Patton was sentenced to eight years for shooting nine people at Indiana Black Expo in 2010. Fast forward three years, and Patton is on the streets because of a reduced sentence for good behavior and completing an educational program. Apparently Patton learned nothing. He was arrested (but not charged) for resisting police, while in the company of other convicts and firearms.
The focus must be on sentencing laws. Patton is merely a symptom of the need to tighten them. An eight-year sentence should be just that - eight years behind bars. With good behavior and completion of certain programs, a prisoner could be released in eight years. With bad behavior and non-compliance, the sentence should be increased.
Criminals should not be rewarded with early release. While they are entitled to justice under the law, it should not be by heaping insult to injury upon the victims.
Sanford D. Horn