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| Bill could pave way for early release of violent criminals |
| By registercitizen.com - MIKE AGOGLIATI |
| Published: 05/26/2011 |
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HARTFORD — The House of Representatives, despite warnings from House Republicans, passed a measure yesterday that could give earned credit for good behavior to criminals convicted of violent crimes. During a session May 24, the House approved the bill, “An Act Implementing the Provisions of the Budget, Concerning the Judicial Branch, Child Protection, Criminal Justice, Weigh Stations and Certain State Agency Consolidations,” which allows for the commissioner of the corrections department to grant early release credit to prisoners. Despite Republican opposition to the passage, a vote of 93-52 — largely along party lines — sent the bill on to the Senate. Late Wednesday, the Senate voted to decline taking the bill up for consideration, thus putting the onus back onto the House. The credits would hinge on inmates avoiding bad behavior and also participating in adult education and substance abuse programs. “The bill, among other things, created a system in which the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections can establish a risk-reduction, earned-credit program for incarcerated persons,” House Republican Leader Lawrence Cafero (R-Norwalk) said in a written statement. “This program permits the Commissioner to award credits up to five days per month for, among other factors, good conduct. These credits would be used towards to reducing an inmate’s sentence and they are retroactive to April 1, 2006.” During debate yesterday, state Rep. Gerald Fox (D-Stamford) said the bill was not intended to offer the early release provisions to those convicted of violent crimes. However, Cafero stated in his letter to fellow lawmakers that the language actually does include the options for criminals that are convicted of rape, murder, and sexual assault. “Since the bill’s passage, it has come to my attention from Chairman Fox and the Undersecretary of the Office of Policy and Management Michael Lawlor, that representations made on the House floor were inaccurate,” Cafero wrote. “In fact, under the bill we passed yesterday, all incarcerated persons, with the exception of persons convicted of a capital felony, will be eligible for these risk reduction earned credits immediately, retroactive to April 1, 2006.” Read More. |
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