CONWAY, SC (WBTW)- A proposed bill could let inmates convicted of offenses like armed robbery, kidnapping, and other violent crimes to earn parole earlier. One agruement is that it will save money.
Solicitor Jimmy Richardson’s job is to put those criminals behind bars, and he does not support this legislation. He said it would have a larger impact on Horry County as we are currently ranked 5th in the state for prison population.
“You cant keep cutting protection for the people,” said 15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson.
Right now, if you are convicted of a “no parole” offense you are eligible for parole after serving 85 percent of your sentence. This proposed bill would allow inmates to be eligible after serving 65 percent of their sentence.
“Criminals that are going away for 15 years instead of them serving 12. They will serve more like 8 or 9,” said Solicitor Richardson.
State Senator Karl Allen proposed the bill, and said eligible inmates would complete a rehabilitation and re-entry program designed by the department of corrections, and be on community supervision. He believes they can help the state workforce.
“Citizens that are eligible and can be productive citizens and pay their own way and the state not have to pay for them,” said Senator Allen.
He also said it will save the state money and help with prison under staffing.
In the last decade, the state’s prison population decreased by 4 thousand inmates.
According to the Department of Corrections, it costs nearly 60 dollars a day to house an inmate which adds up to nearly 22,000 dollars per inmate each year.
“Turning those guys loose they got go somewhere so instead of being at Lee they’re back on Main Street in Loris or 5th Ave. in Conway,” said Richardson.
Solicitor Jimmy Richardson believes a solution would be truth in sentencing, which would require an inmate to serve their entire sentence
“If you believe 4 years is sufficient, give them 4 years, but at least let the victim know 4 years is a real 4 years,” said Richardson.
Senator Allen hopes solicitors get on board, but Solicitor Richardson advises victims to call their local lawmakers and oppose the plan.