The recently passed Deputy Brad Johnson Act reduces how much time state inmates can get off their sentences based on the “good time” incentive.
Before the law, inmates were permitted to have up to 75 days removed from their prison sentence for every 30 days served.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, who was present at the State House during the deliberations about the law, said this is a “first step toward truth in sentencing.”
Today, the House is taking up the Deputy Brad Johnson Act. Bittersweet to watch this discussion alongside Bibb County Deputy Chris Poole, who we are fortunate is still here today to advocate for change. pic.twitter.com/m7HILiX2CW
— Attorney General Steve Marshall (@AGSteveMarshall) April 11, 2023
“I am grateful today that the Alabama Legislature has honored the life and legacy of Deputy Brad Johnson by passing needed revisions to Alabama’s good time law,” Marshall said. “This is just as first step to make sure that we ultimately have truth in sentencing in Alabama. I appreciate the hard work of Senator April Weaver and Representative Russell Bedsole. I’m also thankful for the leadership of Speaker Ledbetter and Senate Pro Tem Greg Reed in allowing the legislature to take a needed first step in making sure that we have truth in sentencing in Alabama’s criminal justice system.”
I am grateful to Sen. Weaver and Rep. Bedsole for taking on this important public safety issue and to the House & Senate leadership for making it a priority. This is the first step towards truth in sentencing. pic.twitter.com/RdPQaUlF3j
— Attorney General Steve Marshall (@AGSteveMarshall) April 11, 2023
Marshall also commented on the new law during an interview on Alabama Public Television’s “Capitol Journal.”
“I think first of all it acknowledges and recognizes the life of Brad Johnson,” he said. “I think it was an important statement for this Legislature to not only name the bill after him, because it is his death that really shown the light on many of the deficiencies that this bill changes.”
The attorney general explained why this law will make a positive difference in keeping Alabamians safe from dangerous criminals.
“We’re excited at the fact that good time behavior is going to be exactly that,” he said. “That we’re not going to reward behavior. We’re going to incentivize inmates not to harm one another, not to harm guards, and not to escape from prison. And then, beyond that, to make sure that we’re doing good time responsibly with regard to the number of days that are going to be granted to those that are eligible.”
Marshall also defended the law against those who believe it will just add to the prison overcrowding problem in Alabama.
“If it adds to an overcrowding problem it’s because inmates won’t follow the law,” he said. “They won’t abide by the rules. This is in the hands of those in the facility to abide by their responsible actions to do the things that they are supposed to be able to do. The only way that this contributes to somebody being longer in prison is if they’re eligible, they don’t take advantage of what’s been given to them. This incentivizes good behavior. It doesn’t cause somebody to stay longer.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
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