Editor,

It is beyond belief, and an affront to any sense of justice and fairness in the American penal system, that President Trump has unilaterally pardoned hundreds of violent, convicted felons from the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.

Although there are individuals who are not able to function safely in open society such as many Trump pardoned, I am always aware of how many nonviolent prisoners in Washington and across the nation thus deserve similar consideration for a pardon. At present we do not even offer parole let alone pardons. How many far less threatening prisoners need to be released, as have the Jan. 6 rioters, without any further punishment, with restored rights to vote and hold public office, rights now denied to Washington prisoners and most others across the nation.

Tom Ewell

Clinton