Gov. Heineman Comments on Signing Good Time Change

 Late Monday, Gov. Dave Heineman signed rules and regulations related to the Department of Correctional Services and the administration of “good time” credit. Good time credit, which reduces the time inmates spend behind bars, is automatically given to inmates under current state law.
Beginning Dec. 21, the new rule allows for corrections officials to take away twice as much good time for misbehavior, including assaults on prison guards and other prisoners. The new maximum penalty allows for up to two years, instead of one year, of good time loss for inmates.
Gov. Heineman stated, “I have done what I can administratively, it is now time for the Legislature to reform the good time law to ensure that the most violent criminals have to earn good time rather than receive it automatically, as required by current law. This is no time to be soft on crime.”