In Illinois as we know our prison system is over crowded and is costing the state a lot to maintain (inmate stay, medical, and etc). The laws in Illinois have a heavy and harsh sentencing term under what is called " Truth In Sentencing" , Which refers to a statute that requires the Department of Corrections to execute a sentence in a manner that is consistent with the term of years handed down by the judge. The Truth in sentencing laws are set in 4 categories of percentages for time serving, which are 50% , 75%, 85% and 100%.

It shows that the "Truth In Sentencing" term we have brought into Illinois sentencing back in 1998 has given inmates more time to serve out of their sentencing which makes inmates have a longer stay. For Example, My Brother was in a car accident in which due to the collision 2 or more people were killed which he was convicted under Reckless homicide 720 ILCS 5/9-3 (a) (e-5) which is 6 to 28 years and was sentenced to 25 years which he has to serve 21 years being under 85% ( Truth In Sentencing) from that charge alone which subsection (e-5) doesn't exist anymore and also it is not under 85%. It moved to 50% but was not retroactive (benefited of the change to reduce time) to him.

Another great thing to bring up, a lot of laws either have changed, don't exist anymore, or don't fall under the same sentencing percentage of Truth In Sentencing. Inmates that could benefit from this change cant, due to House Bill 2233 that needs to be passed in order to be retroactive. Basically saying if a law is changed and time is reduced to that law the inmate should see the benefit of it.

There is one more thing i would like to put on the table is that Illinois needs to bring back the Parole Board for inmates that have served over 10 years to see if that inmate has shown progress and is eligible for a sooner release. Their are a number of inmates that have took rehabilitation (school, jobs, programs and etc.) seriously, which they have received over a # of Certificates/Awards and Acknowledgements over the past decade which my brother and other inmates would like to show.

Overall I'm asking , people that are a victim of a loved one incarcerated are asking and the life of a inmate that wants a better chance wants you to sign this petition to support and approve one or more of the following Below which will help reduce time , overcrowded jails and state's costs.

1. Get rid of Truth In Sentencing and retroactive it by passing House Bill 2233

2. Pass House Bill 2233 in General for retroactive

3. Bring Back the Parole Board

Please and thanks