Petition Statement
The statutory phrase “good conduct time” in Section 508.145, of the Texas Government Code, is ambiguous, and cloaks offenders’ accruable “work time credit”. Therefore, I request legislation be enacted to officially separate and stipulate “work time credit” from all other forms of “good conduct time”. Also, that the legislation will retroactively apply work time credit towards parole eligibility for all offenders, who are not under sentence for death.
Petition Background
Prisoners earn “work time” credit as a form of compensation for their prison labor assignments – explicitly for the purpose of applying towards parole eligibility. Yet our state officials never speak of this “work time” credit; primarily, since statutes generally incorporate it within the broad terminology of “good conduct time” – which statutorily has become the all inclusive language for any type of time credit.
This inherently gives the incorrect presumption that “good time” credit (which is exclusively behavior-based) and “work time” credit are combined and inseparable, or possibly synonymous words – capable of interchangeable use. However, each are very unique. As illustrated when an inmate receives his or her “T.D.C.J. – I.D. Inmate Time Slip,” flat time, good time, bonus time and work time are all calculated, separately.
Nevertheless, many inmates (particularly 3g offenders) are unable to have their “work time” credit considered by the Board of Pardons and Parole (B.P.P.) In other words, these inmates cannot receive any benefit form their prison labor, because for decades legislators have not statutorily placed the due emphasis on “work time” credit, and have not distinguished it from all other time credits.
Also, providing this legislative distinction for “work time” credit, and making “work time” credit applicable towards gaining an earlier nonnegotiable (mandatory) release on parole, would give 3g offenders with lengthy sentences an incentive to discontinue mischief, and acquire the discipline and skills of work. More importantly, this requested legislation would provide a viable avenue for many of the rehabilitated men and women, who shouldn’t continue to be trapped in prison under the yoke of their excessive sentences.
Basically, it will afford an attainable second chance to those offenders, who should receive one.