The sentence commutation program, referred to by some as an amnesty, has aroused much concern and anxiety as well as anger. Among those most frustrated are members of the police force.

Our police officers are known for having a heavy workload, and in the past week they have become much busier. They have been ordered to carry out the duty of preventing freed inmates from reoffending and thus returning to prison.

There has been an increase in the number of police covering the streets, where few have been seen in the past — at night as well as during the day.

The commutation program has prompted controversy among law experts and triggered censure from people concerned about the steeply rising tide of crime.

Legal experts say about 65 percent of the freed prisoners were convicted of crimes related to theft, burglary, or substance abuse. They and others who are concerned about the impact of the president’s move pointed out the government has done far too little to prevent the ex-convicts from breaking the law again.

The truth of these views is evidenced by what has happened since the commutation was implemented.

The demand for narcotics has increased dramatically over the past few days. A total of 15 people have so far died as a direct result of the commutation, fourteen have died from drug overdose.

One tragic death occurred on Monday morning, when a National Taiwan University (NTU) professor was beaten to death by a drug offender, who was freed a week before.

According to news reports, Professor Hsieh Huan-ju of NTU was traveling through a park in Taipei on a bicycle on Monday morning when he was attacked by a man who was acting berserk.

After catching the attacker, police found that he had been recently released from prison, due to the sentence commutation ordered by President Chen.

The death of Professor Hsieh created such shock and disbelief, that a growing number of people now question the appropriateness of the commutation.

Fei Hung-tai, an opposition legislator, charged that the professor, widely admired among his students and colleagues, was killed by an NTU alumnus: President Chen Shui-bian.

Huang Wei-che, a lawmaker affiliated with the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), also criticized the commutation program, asserting that “no one at the grassroots level has so far commented favorably on the commutation.”

“In our contacts with voters at the grassroots level,” Huang added, “we haven’t heard any positive views on the commutation.”

Many voters say that they are very disgusted with it, said Huang.

In defense of this move he ordered, President Chen contended that the crimes committed over the past few days by those who came out of prison were “just isolated cases.”

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) stated that it is working to prevent the released ex-convicts from getting into trouble again with the law. The ministry stressed that it will step up monitoring of former prison inmates and provide them with any necessary assistance.

But the MOJ admitted that there are some discrepancies between the policy itself and its practicality. Since the commutation program began, many of the ex-convicts have re-committed the offense. The MOJ said it will review the measure and take steps to pacify the public.

National Police Administration officials said police personnel have increased visits to the newly freed prisoners, stepped up investigations of trafficking stolen goods, and intensified spot checks of hangouts frequented by former inmates.

It is above all important that drug addicts and habitual thieves undergo rehabilitation. Drug abuse is so widespread these days on this island that some popular entertainers have recently been found to be addicted and forced to go to rehabilitation clinics.

As for theft and burglary, these crimes occur so frequently in every community that families are almost constantly warned to heighten their vigilance and help each other out.

The crime problem is obviously one of the disconcerting issues in today’s Taiwan, but sadly, President Chen did not take this situation into consideration when he decided to reduce the prison terms for the inmates.

We believe President Chen should personally apologize to the family of Professor Hsieh and the public. It is questionable that the move the president has ordered is a “meritorious policy,” for many of the former inmates are facing a highly uncertain future. It is doubtful whether the government can give these individuals the help they need to live renewed lives.

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