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Minutes for SB8 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Increasing good time and program credits for certain offenders.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 26, 2021
Jason Thompson gave the bill brief for SB8 explaining that it increases good time and program credits for certain offenders. It allows for the reduction of the sentence by 25 or 40% depending upon the type of crime involved. (Attachment 20)
Adam Proffitt submitted the fiscal note for SB8. (Attachment 21)
Scott Schultz submitted the prison bed space impact assessment for SB8. (Attachment 22)
Scott Schultz spoke in support of SB8 explaining the bill is structured to encourage offenders to do better. He stated it does not apply to certain levels of offenders and it does not mean they get it just because it is available; they must reach certain standards and display certain behavioral change. He noted that enactment of this bill would have a major bed space impact and it would allow the system to make space for new prisoners. (Attachment 23)
Randy Bowman spoke in support of SB8 explaining that this lets the Kansas Department of Corrections release the prisoners who have changed their behavior and it leaves the bed space for those who are not interested in change. (Attachment 24)
John Jenks spoke in support of SB8 explaining this is a job and economic issue because it allows individuals to return to the work force. By completing these programs, they are demonstrating they are willing to change. (Attachment 25)
Kendall Seal spoke in support of SB8 explaining this bill addresses the prison capacity problem. It begins to respond to the problem of systemic racism in the prison system and to the problem of incarceration of non-violent offenders. (Attachment 26)
Lorrie Trout asked that this be extended to people who have already been released because there are people who have served their time but who are still suffering from penalties that last a life time when they had one offense. She requested good time behavior be applied to registry time on the sex offender list to improve situations for such people and to allow them to find housing and to get work. (Attachment 27)
There was discussion. The Legislative Research Department provided two charts showing comparisons of good time leave programs across the country. One chart gives data to 2016 (Attachment 28) and the other chart contains data to 2020.(Attachment 29)
With neither opponent nor neutral testimony the hearing was closed.
The meeting adjourned at 11:52 AM.
