News 5 Exclusive: Domestic Violence Victims Live in Fear of Early Release Law

Mobile, Alabama (WKRGMore) — Hundreds of inmates are set for early release from Alabama prisons, but some crime victims say they have not received any notice and now they I am afraid for my life.

WKRG News 5 spoke EXCLUSIVELY to a woman who said she was concerned that the accused attacker was out and had received no notice.

The woman feels disappointed now that the man accused of trying to beat her to death has been released from prison.

Nearly 400 Alabama inmates have been announced to be released as new laws take effect to reduce overcrowding in state prisons.

One such prisoner Lance LucasHe was convicted in Mobile County in a 2016 domestic violence case and was on probation when he was arrested again in March 2021 on new domestic violence charges.

“I thought it was the release of non-violent criminals. If you read the list of names, all their crimes are written. Many of them are violent,” she said. “many.”

Although the identity of this woman cannot be determined for fear of retaliation, she accuses Lucas of trying to beat her to death.

“No one was informed of his release,” she said. “He was supposed to be picked up by the Federal Reserve after he was released, but they don’t have him. Where do we go from here? We need answers.”

Another female victim has been in contact with her about his release, but neither has been notified. I saw him and called the Alabama Department of Corrections.

“They said they notified Mobile County of their release,” said a woman who spoke to WKRG.

And now she doesn’t know where he is. He is not on the Alabama Department of Corrections’ current list of inmates.

“It’s scary,” she explained. “I’m going to be looking over my shoulder. Be aware of my surroundings, because that’s obviously all I can do and I can’t rely on the state,” she explained.

Lucas has a court trial scheduled for April, and she fears she may never get justice.

“What if he hurt someone else just because you let him go?” she asked. “Or will he come back and finish the job with me?” ?”

The Alabama Department of Corrections sent us an update on the release of inmates in response to an inquiry Thursday afternoon.

“Some inmates eligible for release from ADOC have detained/pending indictments from other law enforcement agencies and will be transferred to those agencies,” the release said. increase.

Full release from ADOC:

More inmates released Friday for forced supervision
Montgomery, Alabama – As modified by Alabama Code Section 15-22-26.2
Effective January 31, 2023 (fixed prison supervision period)
The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) continues the process of releasing inmates to prison.
Superintendent of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles (ABPP). This action
Retroactive provisions that made previously excluded inmates contained in Act 2021-549
Eligible for release to compulsory supervision.
Some inmates eligible for release from ADOC have detainees/pending indictments from other law enforcement agencies and are transferred to those agencies.
The rest, once under ADOC custody, will be handled by ABPP and the ankle will be fitted.
Monitor and release. A friend or family member will then pick you up or take you to the facility.
Local bus stations are returned to convicted counties. ADOC buys one-way,
Non-refundable, non-transferable bus ticket.
The release process is in flux, but as of today:
• ADOC released 134 prisoners from custody.
About 170 to 200 people will be released on Friday, February 3, 2023.
or released without notice to the victim.Upon notification of the victim, those inmates
Added to release list.
Individuals convicted of sex offenses involving children (under the age of 12) are excluded as follows:
Criminals sentenced to life imprisonment. Release of eligible prisoners is based on length of sentence.