The Federal Prison Work Incentive Act of 2009
On March 12, Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) introduced H.R. 1475, the “Federal Prison Work Incentive Act of 2008,” a bill that would substantially revive the good time system that existed before November 1, 1987.
As defined in H.R. 1475, good time is the amount of time a prisoner, whose record of conduct shows substantial observance of Bureau of Prisons (BOP) regulations is eligible to have deducted from the term of his sentence. The amount varies depending on, among other things, the length of the prisoner’s sentence.
Congressman Davis’s proposal would increase earned good time, restore industrial good time (providing for additional opportunities to reduce one’s sentence by engaging in work opportunities), allow forfeiture of all good time credit in the event of infractions in prison, and provide for potential restoration of forfeited good time credit.
Although H.R. 1475 technically would apply to all prisoners sentenced on or after November 1, 1987, it would not be retroactive. It would not recalculate good time already earned under the current system.
Thousands of bills are filed in Congress each year. All are referred to the Committee or subcommittee of jurisdiction, but very few get consideration such as hearings or votes. It may take several years to develop the type of support needed for this bill to pass either the House or the Senate. (A bill needs 217 votes to pass the House of Representatives and at least 50 votes to pass the Senate.)
The bill has been referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. FAMM supports this legislation.
- Click here to read the bill summary, see cosponsors and get other information on this bill.