Louisiana Gov. Bel Edwards pardons 56 inmates, 40 of whom are convicted murderers

Louisiana Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards has pardoned dozens of inmates since October of this year, with many being convicted murderers. 

Over the past few months, Edwards has pardoned 56 prisoners with 40 of them being convicted murderers, according to Fox News. This month alone, Edwards pardoned five prisoners convicted of first-degree murder and 11 convicted of second-degree murder.

Twenty-three of the pardons were finalized Dec. 13 and Dec. 19, according to a Fox 8 report. 

"For as long as I can remember, Louisiana reflexively responded to an increase in crime by putting more people in prison and keeping them there longer," he told a local Louisiana news outlet referring to a package of prison reform laws he helped pass in 2017.

"We've never been made safer as a result of that," he added. "There is no data to suggest that an increase in crime here was because of the reforms."  

Some other inmates pardoned by Edwards were convicted of arson, aggravated kidnapping and armed robbery. 

This is Edwards' last term as governor. Current GOP Attorney General Jeff Landry was elected as his replacement.