U.S. Congress - H.R.1475 Federal Prison Work Incentive Act of 2009
H.R.1475 - Federal Prison Work Incentive Act of 2009
To amend title 18, United States Code, to restore the former system of good time allowances toward service of Federal prison terms, and for other purposes. view all titles (2)
All Bill Titles
- Official: To amend title 18, United States Code, to restore the former system of good time allowances toward service of Federal prison terms, and for other purposes. as introduced.
- Short: Federal Prison Work Incentive Act of 2009 as introduced.
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Displaying 1-30 of 38 total comments.
This bill just makes sense. Why not reward inmates who are model prisoners while incarcerated by reducing their sentences? Give them some hope that if they behave and “do their time” they can rejoin their loved ones sooner. The state institutions reward their inmates for good behavior—why shouldn’t the Federal Government? Given how much of our tax money is spent to house each inmate per year—and given how extremely long mandatory sentences are, why not give inmates a chance to become tax PAYERS instead of tax BURDENS? Please pass this bill.
I agree with you with the exception that VIOLENT criminals should not get this option.
Another thing we could immediately do to reduce prison populations would be to make it a law that ANY & ALL cases wherein DNA evidence is present, but that has not ever been tested should be mandatorily required to be tested NOW. We have innocent people in jail, many for decades, who deserve that testing without having to petition the court or fight with an appeal to get it. It needs to be mandatory and immediate!
Thank you!
There are so many people in the prison systems who are innocent. I agree with the mandatory DNA testing of all cases that have DNA present.
Where do we go and who do we talk to as concerned citizens to make this happen?
There are millions of tax dollars wasted every year on people in the prison system who are innocent.
I was ecstatic to hear about the bill but it isn’t retroactive or for federal inmates currently incarcerated. There should be a bill for the individuals that are currently incarcerated. The fed law is very harsh in sentencing. It was sad to read how first time offenders were given 10-20 years.
Thank you, for being positive and understanding. There are many people out there who think that anyone in a prison, is an animal. There are good people in prisons some who are innocent and some who are not. Let the ones who deserve to be out in the world, have an easier time getting back with hard work and being good citizens.
One of the purposes of incarcerating an individual is to teach them a lesson in life and possibly return them back into society as a better person, we need this Bill in order to determine who is ready to be returned back into society, there are a lot of good men and women, first time offenders, serving long and unjust sentences, there should be no difference between State and Federal Institutions in re to Good Time Credits.
Juan, you are right – - if there is a legitimate conviction. Unfortunately our AUSAs are out of control. Read “Three Felonies A Day” or “The Tyranny of Good Intentions.” You will freak out when you see what can happen to ordinary citizens like you and me. I have seen first hand how good men can be targeted and attacked and forced into “the system.” It’s not pretty. I am an Army veteran and a staunch conservative. Until last year, I was a “law and order hawk.” Now, I am 100% against the death penalty and I don’t believe that our prosecutors are after justice. They are just after “wins” – - at any cost. Look at all the prosecutorial misconduct cases that have surfaced in recent years. If we get our legal system back under control, I will go back to “teaching lessons” to criminals. Until then, we need to teach our prosecutors that their job is to seek the TRUTH, not “win at all costs.”
A friend and co-worker who is the hardest working,honest,caring person I know, was caught up in a scam and sent to Federal prison. She should not be there working ,but out working and helping others as she always has.
I hope this passes. My daughters miss their father alot. I hope we put our true violent offenders away and help non violent offenders get back on the right track. I would rather pay for violent offenders to be locked up! Also lets take away free time and weights for violent offenders. Why should they be allowed to have any fun? I also hope that programs will be made to help non violent offenders find good jobs and to get a good life back! My brother has four fellony charges on his record from eleven years ago and has turned his life around, yet the State of Nebraska looks at him as a criminal still and will not give him a good job opportunity, he was a non violent offender. What is wrong with our system? Why are sexual offenders getting a few months in prison? Why not let them serve a long time as well? Lets keep violent offenders locked up non violent ones free on good time served!
mamaof2: Please remember that this bill isn’t about violent vs. non-violent offenders. Or sexual offenders serving a longer time. It’s about men and women (like your brother & husband) who need a break. It’s about thousands of men and women who just want a chance to be rewarded because they’ve proven on the inside of the prison walls that they can reform and follow the rules. Their lives will never be easy again—but they deserve a chance to live it with those they love. Let’s focus on giving our loved ones that chance by urging our senators and representatives to PASS THIS BILL!
Thank you!! I wish there were more people like you! The prison system is a cruel cruel world especially if you do not belong there.
I urge Congress to fully support H.R. 1475: To amend title 18, United States Code, to restore the former system of good time allowances toward service of Federal prison terms. It is time we give non-violent inmates a chance to reduce their time in federal prison based on their appropriate behavior and demonstration of virtue.
Please support this bill. My husband is serving a 76 month sentence it was his first offense. We are both 25 yrs old and we have 3 beautiful kids I now raise alone. Please help him come home sooner.
I agree with all the comment above. Everyone needs a second chance at life. My husband realize he made a mistake for dealing drugs when he was in his mid-twenties. He is 40 years old. It does not take a 30 years sentence to help realize that. He is not the same person who sold drug then. Congress please pass this bill and ACT SOON!!!
I think the congress needs to realy think about passing the H.R.1475 act for federal inmates. Lets them know its some people who still cares. Just like GOD beleives in second chances why cant we. Alot of those who are in prison really realize what they have done wrong and began to change such as bettering themselves instead just sitting around letting time pass.
I think prison in the second chance. We could just shoot them after the first conviction, but instead we believe in rehabilitation. Nothing about prison is supposed to be rewarding. It is punishment. Time off for good behavior? Parole? Please. They are lucky to have prison.
I hope you never have to deal with a loved one thats been placed into the prison system.Its a very life altering experience.There are many people who arent guilty of the crimes theyve been convicted of.They arent animals.You wouldnt be smiling if you were watching someone you loved worry if that was the day they got jumped by gang members of another race,sat at wrong table or looked in someones direction too long daydreaming.Theyre killed for those things.Maybe they receive $ & some get jealous &kill them for their only luxuries.Items below standards on the outside.Soapbar,plastic cup can be a luxury sometimes.How can you post such a happy picture & speak such evil?They arent just murdering-drug dealers &junkies who have taken lives for their habit in there.Every class of person is in there &every class of person related to those people out here.Until a person has the ultimate life shattering experience being in this position,that person never knows what its like.ITS HELL
You truly don’t know what you are talking about!! Why don’t you go to a prison and just visit it for one day in the family visiting room. We are all people some who have made a mistake…
I just read an article on the home page of this site that states that as it is currently written, this bill will not be retroactive, so it would not apply to those already incarcerated in the Federal system. I think that now is the time to lobby the committees considering this bill to amend it to apply to those already in the system as well. Doing that will not only help the families like those above who have commented, but it will also save our government literally millions of dollars!
For those who dont believe in people getting their lives back together. Are just thinking that those who are doing time is they consider them as animals. But turn the tables around and step into their shoes you would want someone to give you another chance. I mean you cant always judge someone for they have done we all have to answer for every sin we commit but only GOD can judge man no human. I think that is HR 1475 should also be for those currently in prison as well as those who has been there basically for everyone. My prayers are for those families in need for deliverance and GOD hears your every cry. If GOD is for you who can be against you. Keep the faith cause prayer changes things. GOD BLESS.
Thank you, there need to be more people like you in the world with understanding and compassion.
It’s time to reinstate good time, prisonors need something to look foward to, giving them the opportunity to get credit for working hard and for good behavior helps not only them get back to their families sooner but helps the programers and counselors keep inmates involved in programs and helps lessen the load on guards if inmates are sitting in class or working all day. My husband was gone for 10 years on a drug charge it was a waste of government monies. He wasn’t a drug dealer to start with he was the brother of a drug dealer. “conspiracy laws” a way to lock up innocent people.
Please pass this bill. It would help the economy by using less money to house inmates that have been given rediculous sentences, such as felon in possession of firearm, when he really didn’t possess it. Someone had the gun and he was framed with it. Be for real, 32 years, when murderers and rapist don’t get that much time.
Not a bad idea for some inmate who got popped with a couple ounces of pot and is doing 3 years. After all it will save some money getting them outta the system. However, i hope this is not offered to criminals who show gang ties. Its no secret prison is just a recruiting grounds for gangs.
Federal sentences are ridiculously long because of “mandatory” rules that were put in place years ago that tied judges hands and prevented them from considering each case individually. Most judges still adhere to the “mandatory” terms because heaven forbid someone might question one of their case’s judgments around election time. The same crime in State cases is half as much—even less most of the time—because on top of serving only half their sentence—state inmates are allow time off for good behavior. What are we most fearful of? Are all the non-violent, well behaved offenders who might be released early because of this bill, going to take all the minimum wage jobs away from the rest of us if they get out early? Or will our prisons suddenly become so empty that we’ll have to lay off Federal Prison personnel? Let’s stop wasting money and lives—pass this bill, NOW!
support hr 1475It was due to malicious prosecution.My brother is serving a 22 year sentence on a first time offence. He has NEVER been in any trouble before ever. He has never been offered rehab. This sentence was due to a drug conspiracy and even though the judge stated that his criminal history was “not substantial” the prosecution sought to enhance his charge causing his time to double from 10 years to well over 20. The public defender he was appointed was no match for the angry prosecution. Since he feared for his wife and his sister he simply would not fully cooperate. My brother decided to take the 10 years bite and the bullet. We feared 10 and ended up with over 20 on a man who was a loved son, husband, father and brother who has never been into any trouble in his entire life.
I oppose this bill because I am tired of criminals doing what ever they please and knowing they can get special treatment if they behave in prison. Indiana actually lets violent offenders out early if they get a GED or High School Equivalent. It is WRONG to send a message to them that there are ways around the punishment. If they can’t do the time they need to obey the laws.
Some of the people in there are innocent. Criminals do not do whatever they please and get special treatment. This bill will assist in making better citizens once their parole comes up. Let people make a difference in their lives. Not every person in prison is trash to be thrown away. Give some of the ones who need and deserve it, hope. The ones who keep returning to prisons are the ones not taught trades or how to be better citizens. They are the ones who just get thrown to the wolves. Thrown to do whatever they have to do to survive. If they are taught to work for a better life, they will most likely continue on the outside.
A few more GED’s in the south isnt a bad thing. Help the right people help themselves. Let them learn a trade, have more education, learn to cope upon
re-entering the real world. Let them become people again. The more they learn and excel the less of a burden they will be on the welfare system and for taxpayers.
What part of Indiana are you talking about?? That must be state becuase federal doesn’t do that.
I don’t understand why anyone would be against this law. If someone is showing themself deservant of good time, then why not give it to them. People can change!! How would you feel if for some reason you got in trouble or one of your loved ones got into trouble, and there was a bill that might help reduce their time? I bet you would be all for it then. People need to stop judging others becuase they don’t know what the situation or circumstances were surrounding the matter.
To everyone out their that has a loved one incarcerated, just hang in their because there are a lot of things that are about to happen (positive things) that might just bring them home very soon!!! God bless, and whatever you do; don’t lose the faith!!
I respect your opinion about this law, but if it was a loved one of yours you wouldn’t feel that way. Be open-minded. I know of alot of cases that have been manipulated by officers that just wanted “to do a job”. The people that testified against my fiance’ admitted to him later in a letter that they made a mistake and that the officers “forced them” through intimidation. He’s in prison because he did do a crime, but they added more charges to him and he did not do all that his wrap sheet is saying that he did. What if something like this happened to a close family member of yours? The tone would probaly change. So be careful what you say and do because it just might come back to haunt you.