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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2010
SENATE BILL NO. 312
BY SENATOR MORRISH
CRIMINAL JUSTICE. Provides for diminution of sentence for good behavior. (8/15/10)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 15:571.3(B)(1), relative to diminution of sentence for good2
behavior; to provide for application; and to provide for related matters.3
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:4
Section 1. R.S. 15:571.3(B)(1) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:5
ยง571.3. Diminution of sentence for good behavior6
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B.(1)(a) Except as provided in Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section, every inmate8
in the custody of the department who has been convicted of a felony, except an9
inmate convicted a second time of a crime of violence as defined by R.S. 14:2(B),10
and sentenced to imprisonment for a stated number of years or months, or when the11
sentencing court has denied or conditioned eligibility for "good time" as provided in12
R.S. 15:537, may earn, in lieu of incentive wages, a diminution of sentence by good13
behavior and performance of work or self-improvement activities, or both, to be14
known as "good time." Those inmates serving life sentences will be credited with15
good time earned which will be applied toward diminution of their sentences at such16
time as the life sentences might be commuted to a specific number of years. The17 SB NO. 312
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
secretary shall establish regulations for awarding and recording of good time and1
shall determine when good time has been earned toward diminution of sentence. The2
amount of diminution of sentence allowed under the provisions of this Section shall3
be at the rate of thirty-five days for every thirty days in actual custody.4
(b) The provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall be5
applicable to persons convicted of offenses on or after January 1, 1992.6
* * *7
Section 2. The provisions of this Act shall provide no basis for any action by any8
inmate in custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to seek release or to9
see any type of legal redress.10
The original instrument was prepared by Michelle Ducharme. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was
prepared by Heyward Jeffers.
DIGEST
Morrish (SB 312)
Present law provides that every inmate in the custody of the Department of Public Safety and
Corrections who has been convicted of a felony, except an inmate convicted a second time
of a crime of violence, and sentenced to imprisonment for a stated number of years or
months, or when sentencing court has denied or conditioned eligibility for "good time," may
earn, in lieu of incentive wages, a diminution of sentence by good behavior and performance
of work or self-improvement activities or both, to be known as good time. The amount of
diminution of sentence shall be at the rate of 35 days for every 30 days in actual custody and
shall only apply to persons convicted of offenses on or after August 15, 2006.
Proposed law retains present law but provides that it applies to persons convicted of an
offense on or after January 1, 1992.
Effective August 15, 2010.
(Amends R.S. 15:571.3(B)(1))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Judiciary B to the
original bill.
1. Changes applicability of bill's provisions from persons convicted of offenses
regardless of the date of the conviction to persons convicted of offenses on
or after January 1, 1992.