Bill Would Soften ‘Harshest Probation Law’ in the Country
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
The Rhode Island House yesterday approved a bill intended to reform what its sponsor says is the “harshest probation law in the country.”
Under the current law, a person on probation who is charged with a crime is considered in violation of his probation and can be returned to prison. The offender remains in prison, even if he is not convicted of the crime.
“Rhode Island has the harshest probation law in the country, allowing the state to put people back in jail without any proof whatsoever that they’ve actually committed another crime,” said bill sponsor Representative Segal, a Democrat who represents Providence and East Providence. “Besides being unjust, the current law adds to taxpayers’ burden by unnecessarily increasing the prison population.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTA similar bill passed the state Senate last month. The House version will now be taken up by the Senate.
