NASHVILLE – Tennessee legislative Republican leaders’ “truth-in-sentencing” bill is now headed to Gov. Bill Lee, requiring people convicted in eight violent crime categories including attempted first-degree murder to serve 100% of their court-imposed sentences before becoming eligible for parole.
That comes after the measure was scaled back, the result of an apparent compromise reached between Lee, a Republican who has pushed several criminal justice reforms, and House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, the Republican Senate speaker, who are sponsors and have championed tough-on-crime legislation.
One bill section applies to people convicted in the eight violent-crime categories, which include carjacking. It would prohibit inmates from using credits they earn for good behavior and participation in prison programming to reduce their sentences, as is the case now.
The credits could still be used to obtain privileges and housing in less restrictive settings.
Another section would require people convicted of one of another 20 felony crimes to serve 100% of their sentence for offenses such as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. However, that provision does allow inmates to use credits for participating in prison programs to reduce their sentences to 85%.