The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on a bill Thursday that would make it impossible for anyone serving a sentence for certain violent crimes to be eligible to earn time off for good behavior.
The legislation, introduced by state Sen. Susan Sosnowski, D-South Kingstown, New Shoreham, was insipred by the public outrage last year over convicted child killer Michael Woodmansee.
Woodmansee, who killed 5-year-old Jason Foreman in 1975, was set to be released from prison 12 years ahead of his original 40-year sentence for earning good time credits. He later agreed to be transferred to Slater Hospital, which falls under the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals.
The bill would prevent inmates who are serving one or multiple times for murder, kidnapping of a minor, first-degree sexual assault, or first- or second-degree child molestation from being eligible for a reduced sentence by earning good time credits.
An attempt to change the policy last year failed.
"The original bill last year was very broad in scope and would have pertained to many more prisoners at the ACI. This would only pertain to those who have committed the most egregious crimes," Sosnowski said.
Sosnowski said she's heard from her constituents loud and clear on the bill, and has plenty of support including Foreman's family.
"They feel it's the right thing to do to keep our state safe. And I think it is our duty as lawmakers to see how we can change this to make our state a safer place," she said.
If the bill becomes law, it would take effect on July 1 and would only apply to prisoners' good time credits awarded after that date.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement