Bill Would Reduce Prison Terms for Felons

State Sen. Kevin Kelly, R-21, is calling a bill that would reduce prison terms for certain violent crimes a "get out of jail free card."

Kelly stood with his Republican colleagues today and voted against House Bill 6650. It passed the Senate along party lines 21-14, and the House signed off on it, too.

“It is unbelievable to me that this legislature would even debate a bill that supports early release for felons,” Kelly said. “These people are imprisoned because they wronged against society, and now we are willing to reduce their time on account of their good behavior."

Under the bill, inmates will be able to reduce their sentences up to five days per a month, and felons sentenced to two years in prison could get out of jail in 90 days. The following is a portion of the crimes which would be included in the bill and subject to early release:

• Manslaughter in the first degree
• Sexual assault in the first degree
• Kidnapping in the first degree
• Human trafficking
• Arson in the first degree
• Employing a minor in an obscene performance
• Importing child pornography
• Contaminating a public water supply or food supply for terrorist purposes
• Injury or risk of injury to, or impairing morals of, children
• Abandonment of child under the age of six years
• Firearms trafficking
• Cruelty to animals

“This bill is a 'get out of jail free card' that will only serve to place the people of Connecticut in harms way. By implementing this law we would be allowing rapists or pedophiles a premature out simply because they went through counseling programs and acted appropriately while in prison, both of which inmates should already be doing."

“I voted against this measure because I stand only in support of legislation that protects and betters our state for the good people and families that make Connecticut their home.”