jat356
06-17-2005, 09:19 PM
Sentencing
Behind the governor’s request is the fact that laws already on the books will create a shortfall of some 6,000 beds by 2001, absent legislative action. Furthermore, if SBs 825–26—the so-called sentencing guidelines/"truth-in-sentencing" bills—are enacted, the net effect will be to increase still further the need for new prisons. Sentencing guidelines have been in force for most felony offenses since 1983, under a system instituted by the Michigan Supreme Court. Guidelines are intended to remove disparity and encourage uniformity among the sentences given to similarly circumstanced offenders.
http://www.michiganinbrief.org/edition06/images/bullet.gifSenate Bill 825 would implement new guidelines developed by the Michigan Sentencing Commission and forwarded to the legislature under a 1994 law. The bill would create nine crime categories of varying severity. For each there would be a matrix of minimum sentences that relate the specific circumstances of the crime with the offender’s criminal history. In essence, judges would be required to "score" offenses, using 19 "offense" and seven "prior-record" variables, and issue minimum sentences accordingly.
http://www.michiganinbrief.org/edition06/images/bullet.gifSenate Bill 826 is the truth-in-sentencing legislation: It is designed to ensure that convicted offenders serve at least their minimum sentence. Traditional corrections practice is to reward good behavior in prison by granting offenders "good time" credits that reduce their minimum sentence. The bill would greatly reduce the use of good time credits and instead create a system of "disciplinary credits" for poor behavior that would add time to sentences. Under this bill, prisoners would be far more likely to serve at least the minimum sentence imposed and, if they are penalized for infractions committed while incarcerated, well could serve more time.
Since the proposed sentencing guidelines recommend lesser minimum sentences for less serious offenses, the overall effect of SB 825 probably would be to reduce demand for new prisons. However, the sentencing commission projects that SB 826’s truth-in-sentencing provisions would increase the need for prison space
Behind the governor’s request is the fact that laws already on the books will create a shortfall of some 6,000 beds by 2001, absent legislative action. Furthermore, if SBs 825–26—the so-called sentencing guidelines/"truth-in-sentencing" bills—are enacted, the net effect will be to increase still further the need for new prisons. Sentencing guidelines have been in force for most felony offenses since 1983, under a system instituted by the Michigan Supreme Court. Guidelines are intended to remove disparity and encourage uniformity among the sentences given to similarly circumstanced offenders.
http://www.michiganinbrief.org/edition06/images/bullet.gifSenate Bill 825 would implement new guidelines developed by the Michigan Sentencing Commission and forwarded to the legislature under a 1994 law. The bill would create nine crime categories of varying severity. For each there would be a matrix of minimum sentences that relate the specific circumstances of the crime with the offender’s criminal history. In essence, judges would be required to "score" offenses, using 19 "offense" and seven "prior-record" variables, and issue minimum sentences accordingly.
http://www.michiganinbrief.org/edition06/images/bullet.gifSenate Bill 826 is the truth-in-sentencing legislation: It is designed to ensure that convicted offenders serve at least their minimum sentence. Traditional corrections practice is to reward good behavior in prison by granting offenders "good time" credits that reduce their minimum sentence. The bill would greatly reduce the use of good time credits and instead create a system of "disciplinary credits" for poor behavior that would add time to sentences. Under this bill, prisoners would be far more likely to serve at least the minimum sentence imposed and, if they are penalized for infractions committed while incarcerated, well could serve more time.
Since the proposed sentencing guidelines recommend lesser minimum sentences for less serious offenses, the overall effect of SB 825 probably would be to reduce demand for new prisons. However, the sentencing commission projects that SB 826’s truth-in-sentencing provisions would increase the need for prison space