Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits removing "commutation credits" for inmates after they commit "minor disciplinary infractions."

Highlights:

• Requires the Commissioner of Corrections to determine whether an inmate is eligible for the restoration of forfeited commutation credits not less than every 3 months (Sec. 1B).

• Prohibits commutation credits forfeited for a civil action or proceeding filed by an inmate determined to be frivolous by a court from being eligible for restoration (Sec. 1C).

• Prohibits commutation credits forfeited for failure to participate in sex offender treatment from being eligible for restoration (Sec. 1D).

• Requires an inmate approaching the expiration of the maximum sentence, who is eligible for restoration of forfeited commutation credits, to be eligible for receiving only that portion of the restored commutation credits allowing for all timely release notifications (Sec. 1E).

• Requires commutation credits forfeited for a disciplinary charge to be restored as follows (Sec. 1F):

• Up to 100 percent of the forfeited credits may be restored over a two year period following the incident that resulted in the loss of credits; and

• Credits shall be restored regardless of the inmate’s housing.

• Authorizes an inmate who receives a parole date at any point in the second one-year period and has been without serious disciplinary action have the commutation credits which they could earn in the second year period restored on a prorated basis (Sec. 1G).

• Authorizes an inmate under the jurisdiction of the Office of Interstate Services to submit an application for restoration of commutation credits (Sec. 1H).

• Authorizes an inmate house at a residential community release agreement program to submit an application for restoration of commutation credits (Sec. 1I).

• Authorizes an inmate serving a State prison sentence in an adult county correctional facility to submit an application for restoration of commutation credits to the chief executive officer of the Central Reception and Assignment Facility (Sec. 1J).

• Requires any sentence exceeding 30 years to be reduced by time credits at the rate of 192 days for each additional year or 16 days for each full month (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text