News from the Senate Majority
Alaska State Legislature

Wendy Lindskoog, Senate Majority Press Secretary
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801-1182
Phone: 907/465-4582
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Broadcast Actualities: 800/478-6540

Bill Ties Sex Offender Sentence Reductions to Treatment Programs

For Immediate Release: April 7, 1998 Contact: Senator Jerry Ward, at (907) 465-4940.

Juneau – The Senate Tuesday passed legislation that will strip "Good Time" prison sentence reductions from sex offenders who fail to successfully complete a rehabilitation or sex offender treatment program ordered by the sentencing court. Senate Bill 242, sponsored by Senator Jerry Ward (R-Anchorage/Kenai), passed by a unanimous vote.

"Sex offenders have been released early because they receive sentence deductions for good behavior. Unfortunately, a large percentage of them re-offend," said Ward. "I sponsored this bill to ensure that sex offenders receive the necessary skills they need to manage their emotions and urges before they are released back into society. Credit for good behavior is a valuable incentive tool that should also be extended to the completion of sex offender rehabilitation programs."

The Department of Corrections awards "Good Time" credits, which are deductions for up to one-third of the term of imprisonment, if a prisoner follows the rules of the correctional facility. Currently, the Department allows accumulation of "good time" credits even though an individual has not completed the court ordered treatment program.

While there is no guarantee that the rehabilitation program will prevent re-offense, this legislation ensures that the offenders will not be released early if they have not participated in the treatment programs. "By putting this mandate into state law, we help build a better safety net for Alaskans," Ward said.

"With this bill in place, Alaska judges will be more apt to order sex offense treatment programs knowing that the programs will be enforced," said former judge, Senator Robin Taylor (R-Wrangell).

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Broadcast Note: Radio actualities are available by calling (800) 478-6540.
= Jerry Ward, 38 K = Robin Taylor, 55 K