Pass Indiana's House Bill 1233

The purpose of this petition is to encourage the passing of Indiana House Bill 1233, increase for Inmate Credit Time. The bill states that eligible credit class 1 inmates will now be receiving 3 days credit for every 1 day of time completed towards the total sentence, rather than the 2 days of credit currently received.

There are several reasons that this particular bill would prove beneficial to the operation of our prison system.

1. There has recently been an overwhelming number of articles and stories done on Indiana prisons and overcrowding. As an example, at our local county jail, there are as many as 37 men being held in a 20-man block. Men are sleeping on mats on the floor, as there are not enough beds for each prisoner. This trend continues throughout Indianas jails due to the fact that the state prisons do not have enough openings to accommodate the number of inmates. Passing this bill would aide in solving overcrowding by getting those prisoners who are eligible through the system in a more time-efficient manner.

2. It costs the people of Indiana a great deal of money each year in taxes to pay for prisons and the well being of prisoners. Passing this bill would cut down on the cost of maintaining prisons due to the simple fact that more prisoners would be moved through the system at a faster rate, meaning there would be less prisoners in a facility at one time to pay for.

3. The families of inmates suffer just as much if not more than the prisoners themselves. Prisoners are unable to help in supporting their families while they are in prison. They are required to work, but the amount of money earned ($.85 $1.80 per day) is not substantial enough to be sent home to help with the bills and survival. This forces more families to live in government-funded housing and receive assistance such as TANF and Food Stamps, costing the state more money. By getting those eligible prisoners through the system and completing their sentences at a faster rate, families would have a better chance of surviving on their own rather than receiving government assistance.


Notice that throughout this proposal, I have mentioned the word eligible in describing the inmates. I am not suggesting that all inmates receive this increased credit time. I completely agree that some prisoners may not be deserving of more credit time. However, those prisoners who remain in credit class 1 by observing all guidelines, working efficiently, and taking educational courses to better themselves should be awarded the opportunity to move through the system in a more timely manner and have a chance to redeem themselves in the outside world.

Please pass Indianas House Bill 1233 for increase in Inmate Credit Time, not only as a benefit to the inmates and their families, but also to the State of Indiana.