Progs’ obsession with diversion programs keeps getting people killed

New York City’s lenient approach to justice for repeat offenders goes beyond just the no-bail law. Diversion programs are another way that dangerous criminals are escaping serious consequences, leading to tragic outcomes.

Wei Hou, a Chinese immigrant, is a prime example of this flawed system. Despite being sentenced to two years in prison for drug possession in 2025, his sentence was drastically reduced to a 90-day drug treatment program. Just months after his release, he allegedly murdered his elderly mother. With a history of prior arrests and schizophrenia, Hou should never have been eligible for such a lenient program meant for first-time offenders.

Unfortunately, Hou is not an isolated case. In 2023, Amari Oneal and Ali Mohammed avoided jail time for an illegal guns bust by being diverted to a “gun accountability and prevention” program. However, in January 2025, they were charged with a brutal execution-style murder in The Bronx. Similarly, a man who was diverted to a program after a grand larceny arrest in 2023 went on to fatally shoot a two-year-old in 2024.

Even more disturbing is the case of a man who was released on mental health treatment after raping a 14-year-old in 2023, only to commit the same crime against another teen in the following year.

These failures of diversion programs are not unique to New York City. In San Francisco, a homeless drug addict with a lengthy criminal record was enrolled in a similar program before beating a woman to death in her home.

While diversion programs may seem like a cost-effective and rehabilitative alternative to incarceration, the reality is far grimmer. The lack of oversight and accountability in these programs allows repeat offenders to avoid prison time, putting innocent lives at risk.

It is clear that soft-on-crime judges and prosecutors are using diversion programs to shield even the most dangerous criminals from facing the consequences of their actions. Until significant reforms are made to ensure that these programs are effective and appropriate for the individuals involved, the cycle of leniency leading to tragedy will continue.