WASHINGTON — D.C. is poised to passed the first update to its criminal code in more than 100 years. The code recently passed the D.C. Council unanimously and it now heads to Mayor Muriel Bowser's desk for her signature. But one ANC Commissioner says the bill is flawed.
ANC 6 Commissioner Denise Krepp says the 450 pages that make up the revised criminal code have many problems, but she is highly concerned about one particular provision that would allow someone convicted of sexual assault to petition for early release after 20 years.
"I don't think the DC Council should be helping rapists get out of prison early," Krepp said. "That's crazy."
Krepp lives in and represents Ward 6 in D.C., along with councilmember Charles Allen, who spearheaded the criminal code rewrite. She has asked the mayor to veto the bill. If it goes to Congress, she said she will lobby to strike it down.
"I've been in the sexual assault community for 30 years. I'm in this community not because I wanted to be in this community, but because of something somebody else did. That person made a lifelong difference in my world," Krepp said. "I can't turn back the clock and neither can any of the other victims, so while this person may have rehabilitated himself or herself -- OK, but the victim lives with the scars forever."
Last month, councilmember Allen explained the change.
"Unlike any other state in the country, we don't have a parole board or a governor who can grant clemency," Allen told WUSA9.
He said the provision was the council's answer to that. He sent a statement further clarifying.
"This is not an automatic release for anyone eligible — cases are carefully considered by judges, and can and are denied. In making their determination during a sentencing review, the courts are required to consider the individual's track record during incarceration, progress in rehabilitation, input from victims and survivors, and any potential threat to public safety," the statement reads.
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