HB 4154

Abstract

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a committed person who is at least 50 years of age and who has served at least 25 consecutive years of imprisonment in a Department of Corrections institution or facility and is serving a sentence other than death may petition the circuit court for an elderly sentence adjustment. Provides the contents of such petition and establishes criteria that the court shall use to determine whether the committed person shall be granted an elderly sentence adjustment. Provides that the court shall consider the petition in its entirety and may not order the release of the committed person if the court finds that the committed person poses a threat to public safety. Provides that if the court determines that a committed person is eligible for an elderly sentence adjustment and determines that the committed person should receive a sentence adjustment, the court shall set the conditions for the committed person's release from prison before the expiration of the committed person's sentence imposed by the sentencing court. Provides for notification of the families of victims if a petition for elderly sentence adjustment is filed. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall develop a pilot program patterned after the Impact of Crime on Victims Class (ICVC), including the Restorative Justice segment, used by the Missouri Department of Corrections. Provides that the pilot program shall be implemented in one maximum security prison for women and one maximum security prison for men. Provides that the ICVC shall be made available to prisoners eligible for elderly sentence adjustment on a voluntary basis.