This petition supports bill “S.808” which would expand the eligibility of participation in the Merit Time Program to a larger portion of the inmate population. Merit Time is the reduction of a prisoner’s sentence due to his or her completion of rehabilitative programs and educational or job training.

In this new bill, an inmate may gain Merit Time allowance upon completion of one of the following: (a) completion of a general equivalency diploma, (b) completion of an alcohol and substance abuse treatment program, (c) completion of at least 6 months in a skilled job assignment, or (d) completion of at least 400 hours of community service work.

The Merit Time allowance is one-sixth (about 15%) for indeterminate sentences, and one-seventh (about 14%) for determinate sentences. Therefore, a prisoner with 10 years to life would do about 8.3 years until he or she sees the parole board. Similarly, a prisoner with 10 years flat would do 8.6 years before he or she sees the parole board. This now means only the reformed prisoners who have completed rehabilitation programs, education, and/or job training will be considered to re-enter society as a productive individualism by the parole board.

The sponsor of the bill is Velmanette Montgomery (State Senator 25th District). The bill is currently in the Crime, Crime Victims and Corrections Committee, where it is under review by the respective Chair Senator Luis Sepulveda’s office.

This petition will reach Senator Sepulveda’s office who selects which bills are to be on the agenda, and then voted out of committee. Once voted out, the legislation then has to age three consecutive days before it can be taken up before the full Senate for a vote. This petition will also reach the full Senate, so that they are aware that we, their public constituents want this bill passed for our incarcerated friends, family and loved ones.