NEW: ‘Good Time Bill’ Heads to House
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
The full Senate has passed legislation referred to as the “good time bill,” introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham) on behalf of Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin in January.
The Senate voted 32-2 in favor of the legislation (2012-S 2179), which will now go to the House of Representatives.
“I am overjoyed the Senate has supported this bill,” said Senator Sosnowski. “I hope it garners the support in the House to fully ensure that criminals who are convicted of violent crimes face the full consequences of their actions. This needs to be the standard in the state of Rhode Island.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe legislation precludes inmates who are serving one or multiple terms 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.” Provisions in the bill would make it impossible for anyone serving a sentence for certain violent crimes to be eligible to earn time off for good behavior.
Supporting this legislation is the family of South Kingstown resident John Foreman, whose 5-year-old son Jason was brutally murdered by convicted child killer Michael Woodmansee in 1975. Woodmansee was set to be released from prison 12 years early for good behavior before he agreed to be transferred to Slater Hospital.
If the bill becomes law, the act would take effect on July 1, 2012 and would only apply to prisoners’ good time credits awarded after that date.
