Good Behavior Sentence Reductions (H 5990, S 753)

The ACLU testified before the House and Senate Judiciary committees in opposition to legislation that would have dramatically limited the ability of prisoners to accrue “good time” days that shorten their sentence.  In addition to promoting good behavior within the prisons, “good time” provides an important incentive to prisoners to participate in treatment and educational programs, potentially reducing their recidivism rates.  The bill would have significantly undermined a law that was enacted only three years ago with support from the Governor, Attorney General, Department of Corrections and Parole Board, to address severe overcrowding problems at the prison. This year’s legislation was in response to the imminent release of Michael Woodmansee, who had served 28 years for the murder of a child. The bill was promoted by the Attorney General, but the DOC and Parole Board registered strong opposition to it.  The legislation, which carried a price tag of more than $12 million dollars for its first few years alone, passed the Senate but failed to move in the House.