Plain English Breakdown
The official text distinguishes between 'statutory provisions' (which existing law blocks for murder) and 'constitutional provisions' (which this bill now requires be applied). The summary must reflect that only constitutional credits are being mandated here.
AB-622: Applying Credits to Life Sentence Minimums
This law requires prison officials to use credits earned for good behavior and education to lower the minimum time inmates with life sentences must serve before being eligible for parole.
What This Bill Does
- Requires the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to apply all applicable constitutional credits toward reducing the minimum term or confinement period for people serving one or more life sentences.
- Allows these credits, which are awarded for good behavior and approved rehabilitative or educational achievements, to shorten the time an inmate must wait before a parole hearing.
Who It Names or Affects
- Inmates in state prison serving one or more life sentences.
- The Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
- Members of the Board of Parole Hearings.
Terms To Know
- Minimum term
- The shortest amount of time an inmate must serve in prison before they can be considered for release on parole, which is currently either 7 years or the specific minimum set by their sentence.
- Credits
- Time taken off a sentence that inmates earn through good behavior and approved rehabilitative or educational achievements under constitutional provisions.
Limits and Unknowns
- The official text does not state when this law will officially take effect.
- Credits applied must be those allowed under existing constitutional provisions, not new types of credit systems created by statute.
- The bill applies to people serving life sentences for specified crimes including some forms of murder and rape.