Sen. Markley: Early Release of prisoners amounts to a jail break

June 6, 2011

Hartford, CT – Under the terms of HB 6650, recently approved by the General Assembly, rapists and sexual predators, child pornographers and pedophiles, and a variety of violent, vicious criminals in Connecticut may soon be eligible for early release from prison. Senator Joe Markley (R-Southington) spoke and voted against the change in judicial policy which now awaits the Governor’s signature.

Maintaining public safety is the single most important function of government. When I took the oath of office to serve as your state senator, I vowed never to support a measure that would put public safety in jeopardy.

State Senator Joe Markley

“We micro-manage the internal functioning of state agencies, fiddling with reporting dates and commission memberships. Yet on the most important part of our job – public safety – we are giving too much discretion. By relaxing requirements on violent criminals we do a disservice to the public,” said Senator Markley. “I believe in redemption, but those in prison for serious crimes should serve their full terms.”

These violent inmates will be able to reduce their sentences by as many as five days per month for “good behavior.” Felons sentenced to two years in prison could get out of jail in 90 days.

The following is a list of just some of the crimes which would be subject to early release for good behavior:

Manslaughter in the first degree (with intent to cause serious injury)

  • Sexual assault in the first degree (sex with someone under the age of 13)
  • Kidnapping in the first degree (intent to inflict physical injury)
  • Arson in the first degree (intent to destroy an inhabited building)
  • Employing a minor in an obscene performance
  • Importing child pornography
  • Contaminating a public water supply or food supply for terrorist purposes
  • Injury or risk of injury to, or impairing morals of, children
  • Abandonment of child under the age of six years
  • Firearms trafficking (knowingly giving a firearm to someone barred from firearm possession)
  • Cruelty to animals (possessing an animal for fighting, intentionally killing a police dog)

Under the alternative sentencing plan set out in section 21 of the bill, a person who pleads guilty and is sentenced to a term of imprisonment of two years or less would qualify after serving just ninety days for an alternative incarceration plan developed by a probation officer.

“Maintaining public safety is the single most important function of government. When I took the oath of office to serve as your state senator, I vowed never to support a measure that would put public safety in jeopardy. I don’t think my constituents want this early release program. I am especially alarmed by the way these changes came before us, without a public hearing, as part of what should have been a purely technical bill, implementing the budget. Its bad procedure and bad policy, just the sort of nonsense I came to the capitol to fight,” said Senator Markley.