|
Session: State Capitol, Room 508 Juneau, AK 99801-1182 Phone: (907) 465-3892 Fax: (907) 465-6595 Send E-Mail Interim 716 W 4th, Suite 430 Anchorage, AK 99501-2133 Phone: (907) 258-8181 Fax: (907) 258-1648 |
For Immediate Release: February 23, 1999
Contact: Senator Dave Donley at (907) 465-3892.
Juneau -- The Senate Judiciary Committee Monday passed Senate Bill 11, which would reduce, by one-half, the amount of good time sentence reductions for individuals convicted of first or second degree murder offenses. Currently all convicted imprisoned criminals may reduce their sentence by up to one-third by good time sentence reductions.
"Alaska has one of the most liberal 'good time' provisions in the nation," said bill sponsor Senator Dave Donley (R-Midtown Anchorage). "Affording convicted murderers the same 'good time' privileges as those who commit less serious offenses is poor public policy and SB 11 corrects this injustice," added Sen. Donley.
"Under present law, a prisoner is entitled to a deduction of one-third of the term of imprisonment if the prisoner follows the rules of the correctional facility. This deduction is known as a 'good time' credit", explained Sen. Donley.
Federal statutes require inmates to serve at least 85% of the sentence imposed. The Federal government has asked all states to adopt its 85% sentencing standard. To date, 30 states, excluding Alaska, have complied, explained Sen. Donley. "Several states have totally eliminated "good time" for murderers, and even with this change murderers in Alaska would have the opportunity to earn a greater amount of "good time credit" than in most of the United States," added Donley.
Donley noted that under Senate Bill 11 a prisoner convicted of first or second degree murder would only be entitled to a deduction of one-sixth (about 16%) of their term of imprisonment.
Senate Bill 11 moves to the Senate Finance committee for consideration there.