danielle
02-28-2003, 06:43 PM
Bill to cut trusties' time held
Measure would allow some to work to get out early
By Jack Elliott Jr.
Associated Press Writer
A Senate committee delayed action Thursday on a bill to speed up the release of model inmates who had achieved trusty status in the prison system.
The bill that earlier passed in the House would allow some trusties to earn a day off their sentence for every day they work. Current law gives trusties a day off for every three days worked.
Supporters said increasing the earned time off would save the state up to $10 million next fiscal year by moving some inmates out of the prison system more quickly.
The earned time plan would not apply to some felons, including those convicted of capital murder, sex crimes and drug trafficking.
On Thursday, the Senate Corrections Committee voted to increase the 10 days off sentence to 15 days. Committee members said they were uneasy about giving any inmate a day-for-day reduction in sentence.
While the Mississippi Department of Corrections didn't ask for the bill, Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps told committee members the agency was struggling financially and needed all the savings it could find.
"We don't have a bed space problem. We have a money problem," Epps said. "We don't give away time."
Epps said there about 6,000 inmates in trusty status in the local jails, restitution and work centers, and in the regional and state prisons.
The Senate committee expects to take the bill up again Tuesday.
Tuesday is the deadline for the House and Senate committees to consider general legislation originating in the other chamber.
Measure would allow some to work to get out early
By Jack Elliott Jr.
Associated Press Writer
A Senate committee delayed action Thursday on a bill to speed up the release of model inmates who had achieved trusty status in the prison system.
The bill that earlier passed in the House would allow some trusties to earn a day off their sentence for every day they work. Current law gives trusties a day off for every three days worked.
Supporters said increasing the earned time off would save the state up to $10 million next fiscal year by moving some inmates out of the prison system more quickly.
The earned time plan would not apply to some felons, including those convicted of capital murder, sex crimes and drug trafficking.
On Thursday, the Senate Corrections Committee voted to increase the 10 days off sentence to 15 days. Committee members said they were uneasy about giving any inmate a day-for-day reduction in sentence.
While the Mississippi Department of Corrections didn't ask for the bill, Corrections Commissioner Chris Epps told committee members the agency was struggling financially and needed all the savings it could find.
"We don't have a bed space problem. We have a money problem," Epps said. "We don't give away time."
Epps said there about 6,000 inmates in trusty status in the local jails, restitution and work centers, and in the regional and state prisons.
The Senate committee expects to take the bill up again Tuesday.
Tuesday is the deadline for the House and Senate committees to consider general legislation originating in the other chamber.