Good time credit for inmates gets nod from judiciary panel
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Associated Press - Published: March 19, 2005
MONTPELIER — The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill that would allow inmates to reduce their sentences by behaving themselves in prison.
Some victims' advocates and prosecutors say the bill that would change the way "good time" is calculated would muddle the sentencing process.
The change in "good time" is part of a larger bill directed at reducing the state's prison population, which has doubled in the past 10 years.
Judiciary Committee members have been discussing changes to "good time" for much of the session, but only worked out the details of that portion of the bill in recent days.
All but offenders of the most serious crimes would be eligible for five days a month off their minimum sentence if they follow the program set up for them. Inmates with less than two years to serve might also be released up to 90 days early to prepare for re-entry into the community.
The new system would replace one that awarded up to 15 days off a month an inmate's maximum term but no time off the minimum.
"We're trying to be smarter about who's in," said committee Chairman Richard Sears, D-Bennington. The goal, he said, is to fill prison beds with only the most serious criminals.Jane Woodruff, executive director of the state Department of States Attorneys and Sheriffs, said the change eliminates "truth in sentencing," a law passed in 2000 to clarify that inmates serve at least the minimum time to which they're sentenced.
Gov. Jim Douglas said he opposed taking time off minimum sentences. "The bill would be just fine without it," he said. "The notion of good time ought to be studied a little more by the committee."
The Douglas administration had proposed doing away with "good time," and allowing qualified inmates to be released 90 days early for re-entry.
"We think there needs to be some incentive for people to work toward," Sears said.
The full Senate is expected to vote on the bill next week.
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