Sponsor Statement for CSSB 67 (JUD)

Truth in Sentencing Act of 1997

When a felon is sentenced to a term of imprisonment the public often receives a false sense of security by believing the criminal will actually be incarcerated for the stated sentence. As a result of "good time", as well as mandatory and discretionary parole provisions, the actual sentence served is virtually guaranteed to be less than which is imposed by the judge.

If enacted, SB 67 would require that a victim of a crime, their family, as well as the public, be provided with an accurate statement of the period of the minimum period of time which must be served before the criminal is released. At the very least, the victim and their families, as well the public, deserve an honest and accurate assessment of the amount of time a criminal will actually be incarcerated. SB 67 would require that the judge do this.

The enactment of SB 67 would also allow the Department of Corrections to receive up to $650,000 in federal funds which are available to states which meet federal truth in sentencing guidelines.

Sponsor Statement for SB 67

Truth in Sentencing Act of 1997

When a felon is sentenced to a term of imprisonment the public often receives a false sense of security that the individual will actually be incarcerated for the stated sentence. In fact, with "good time", as well as mandatory parole, the actual sentence is virtually guaranteed to be less than what is handed down by the judge during sentencing.

If enacted, SB 67 would require that the victims of a crime and their family, as well as the public, be provided with an accurate statement of the period of incarceration which must be served. With all the imposed requirements for reductions of time served, it is virtually guaranteed a full sentence will not ever be served. It is my goal to, at the very least, to provide victims, their families and the public with an honest and accurate assessment of the time which must actually be served by a person convicted of a crime.