I apologize, there is no reason why you should remember Willie Horton.
Briefly, Gov Mike Dukakis released Willie Horton, a convicted killer, on a furlough program. A few days later, Horton raped a woman.....not sure if he killed her.
Anyway, Dukakis (a democrat) was running against Gore for the presidency in the '88 Dem primary. Gore mentioned the furlough program in a debate, but didn't push it.
The Duke won the primary, then in the finals, it was Dukakis and Bush Sr.
This furlough, followed by the rape, was one of the issues that sunk the Duke and his chance for the presidency.