CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 11(JUD) "An Act relating to good time credits for prisoners serving sentences of imprisonment for certain murders." Senator Dave Donley restated that Alaska had liberal good- time provisions. There was a growing concern among victims that those serving time for first and second degree could have inappropriate early release through the good time release. There was a national movement that sentences be understandable. It would be too expensive to institute an across the board change to the state's 33% good time release so he proposed applying this to those serving fist and second-degree murder sentences. He realized that many serving sentences for those crimes had lengthy terms, but felt that through good time release programs, the sentences served were greatly reduced. He noted there would be a substantial fiscal impact in the future. However, he felt the national 85% standard was appropriate and should be applied to these crimes. Moving closer to honesty in sentencing also appropriate. Early release of murderers sent a bad message to the community. He felt there was a logical distinction between those who committed murder and other crimes. Tape: SFC - 99 #81, Side B 6:55 PM Senator Al Adams commented that if every state had the same sentencing for crimes, this would be appropriate. Because Alaska had higher sentences, they would be serving too much time. He discussed the issue of high medical costs for housing older prisoners. Blair McClune commented that there could be * challenges to the original bill. He felt that was less of an issue with the CS. He hoped the committee would consider the amount of time it would take a prisoner to reenter the community after a lengthy prison term. He suggested housing them in a halfway house or similar facility. He agreed that truth in sentencing was important. Bruce Richards commented that Senator Dave Donley covered the issues of the bill. He noted that the department submitted a zero fiscal note because the fiscal impact would be realized beyond the years listed on the notes. He did a prediction of their current prisoners. He estimated the first year impact would be $53X,000. It was a policy call with a significant impact. The cost would continue to increase with geriatric costs. He testified that inmates tended to have a higher abuse of their own bodies and therefore geriatric problems began at the age of 50. Senator Al Adams noted that Alaska sent many prisoners to Arizona, which recently implemented the 85% standard. He wondered if those prisoners were affected by that. Bruce said they were not. Senator Dave Donley commented on the public support of the death penalty. He felt that was in part due to the perception that murders served very short sentences. This bill may be a cheaper alternative than the high cost of the death penalty. Senator Al Adams had not seen the survey done by Senator Randy Phillips and questioned the social make-up of those questioned. Senator Dave Donley reiterated his stance on the importance of the bill despite the fiscal impact. Senator Dave Donley made a motion to move from committee. Senator Al Adams objected. The bill was reported out by a vote of 9-1. Senator Al Adams cast the nay vote. Break 7:06 PM / 7:16 PM