The Connecticut prison system dates back to the Revolutionary War era, when a former copper mine was used to hold prisoners. Today, Connecticut has approximately 18,000 inmates, and another 20,000 individuals under some form of supervision. Connecticut has built 18 prisons, 17 for men, and one for women. One prison for males was closed in May, and Correction Commissioner Leo Arnone plans to close another one soon.
It costs taxpayers $89.68 a day to keep each prisoner locked up. With Governor Dannell Malloy attempting to bring the state budget under control, it seemed natural that the Correction Commissioner would look toward prisons to see what could be done to reduce expenses. Allowing inmates to obtain early release if they maintained good conduct and participated in programs designed to help them reenter society seemed like a logical plan. After all, community supervision only costs $32.66 a day -- a major savings for taxpayers, and a powerful incentive for inmates to take programs while in prison that will help them when they return to the community, thereby reducing costly recidivism. A win/win proposition.
Following the lead of at least 31 states, Connecticut Democrats set about to write a bill that would grant most inmates the opportunity to earn early release. The bill states that a reduction cannot be more than ten percent of a sentence. If further states that the reduction cannot be less than the mandatory minimum that applies to 64 crimes. Inmates convicted of six crimes are not eligible to earn credit for early release. The crimes that prohibit earned credit are: murder, capital felony, felony murder, arson murder, aggravated sexual assault, and home invasion.
When the bill was put to a vote on May 31, it passed by a margin of 90 - 60, mostly on party lines, although at least four Democrats joined Republicans in opposing it. The bill’s supporters point out that participating in drug and alcohol abuse programs, as well as in parenting, anger management, GED and other types of educational classes while in prison can benefit an individual upon release. Governor Malloy has indicated that he will sign the bill into law.
For more information on earned credit in other states click here to go to website
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