An Indiana legislative committee has unanimously approved a bill that would reform criminal sentencing in that state.
With a 13-0 vote, the bill moved out of the House Courts and Criminal Committee and to the full House for consideration. The legislation would:
–Permit work release and alternative sentencing for low-risk offenders, allowing Indiana to prioritize prison beds for dangerous offenders, while cutting unnecessary prison expenditures;
–Sort the current four-tier system of felonies into a new six-tier system, which will permit tailored sentencing that can more accurately and appropriately hold offenders accountable;
–Require the worst offenders in Indiana prisons to serve more of their sentences behind bars.
This is Indiana’s second attempt at sentencing reform after an effort failed in the last legislative session.