On Monday, the Senate handed Senate Invoice 495, in any other case generally known as the ‘Shield Arkansas Act.’ If handed into regulation, it will require individuals convicted of violent felonies to serve one hundred pc of their sentences in jail. The invoice additionally consists of measures meant to offer better entry to psychological well being care and household assist for incarcerated people, Michael R. Wickline reports for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Supporters of the invoice argue that it’s wanted to make sure harsher sentences are given out and juries are conscious of how lengthy an individual will likely be spending in jail; nonetheless, opponents declare that longer sentences don’t stop crime and Arkansas already has an elevated incarceration fee. The invoice now heads to the Home for additional consideration.
Picture supply: thecrimereport.org
