A Louisiana sheriff is under fire for lamenting the state’s scheduled release of prisoners in terms that critics say underscored the exploitation of inmates and, at times, evoked slavery, The New York Times reports.
The remarks, by Sheriff Steve Prator of Caddo Parish, came near the end of a lengthy news briefing on Oct. 5, in which he objected to a set of criminal justice reforms that will allow for the release of 1,400 nonviolent prisoners on Nov. 1.
Prator spent the majority of the news conference talking about the danger of letting out repeat offenders who belonged in prison.
“In addition to the bad ones—and I call these bad—in addition to them, they’re releasing some good ones that we use every day to wash cars, to change oil in our cars, to cook in the kitchen, to do all that, where we save money,” Prator said. “Well, they’re going to let them out.”
His remarks attracted harsh attention online after they were amplified by the reporter and activist Shaun King. Critics said they demonstrated a prevailing attitude in the Louisiana justice system toward prisoners and the economic exploitation of human beings.
A spokesperson for Prator told The New York Times the sheriff’s comments were taken out of context. “My many years of public service prove beyond any doubt that I view all persons equally. To say or imply any differently is untruthful,” Prator added in a statement.
