11-R424

2011 -- H 6265 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 06/30/11

 

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

REQUESTING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION TO EVALUATE THE EXISTING GOOD TIME CREDIT POLICY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS

     

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, Ajello, Walsh, Dickinson, and Lally

     Date Introduced: June 15, 2011

 

     

 

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island General Assembly created the Criminal Justice Oversight

Commission as codified in Rhode Island General Laws 42-26-13; and

     WHEREAS, The Criminal Justice Oversight Commission is comprised of the Attorney

General, the Superintendent of the State Police, the Director of the Department of Corrections,

the Chairperson of the Parole Board, the Public Defender, members of the Judiciary, a

representative of a victims’ rights group, and other individuals who have knowledge and expertise

of the criminal justice system in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, The Criminal Justice Oversight Commission is authorized under law to

coordinate, monitor, and evaluate systematic improvements regarding the operation of the

criminal justice system including matters relating to the inmate population and the state’s prison

facilities; and  

     WHEREAS, The State of Rhode Island has previously supported the public policy that it

is proper for prisoners to receive time credits towards early release for good behavior while they

are incarcerated because this type of credit provides a deterrent against inappropriate behavior

and acts as an incentive to address rehabilitative needs; and

     WHEREAS, Recent and well-publicized events, including the potential release of

criminals who could pose a threat to the safety and well-being of law-abiding members of society,

have called into question the current procedures, policies, and practices regarding the awarding of

good time credits; and

     WHEREAS, It is in the best interest of the citizens of Rhode Island for the Criminal

Justice Oversight Commission to research, deliberate, and make recommendations on how to deal

with the awarding of good time credits on a going forward basis including, but not limited to,

considering a multi-tiered approach to the awarding of good time credits in order to ensure that

those prisoners who have committed offenses of violence, those whose crimes were egregious in

nature, and those who could pose a threat to society do not receive credits that would facilitate an

early release back into society;  now, therefore be it 

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby requests the Criminal Justice Oversight Commission to evaluate

the existing Good Time Credit Policy and make recommendations to the House of

Representatives on or before January 3, 2012; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Chair of the Criminal Justice Oversight

Commission.

 

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LC02886/SUB A/2

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