Deadline to Change Act 570 Looms
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: December 11, 2012
Arkansas lawmakers say they're keeping your safety in mind as they demand answers on sweeping prison reform passed nearly two years ago.
Act 570 was designed to slow the rapid growth of Arkansas' prison population, but if lawmakers want to make any changes to the law, it has to happen during the 2013 legislative session or they'll have to wait two years.
Lawmakers were frustrated on Tuesday after meeting with officials from community correction, who say measuring the effects of the law is slow-going.
"Give us the raw data. And while it may not be complete, it's at least something," says Senator Jeremy Hutchinson. "We need as much information as we can get, and certainly don't need to wait two more years to begin looking at it."
Officials from community correction say they hope to have some numbers to lawmakers before the end of the upcoming legislative session, which is about a month away.
Act 570 was designed to slow the rapid growth of Arkansas' prison population, but if lawmakers want to make any changes to the law, it has to happen during the 2013 legislative session or they'll have to wait two years.
Lawmakers were frustrated on Tuesday after meeting with officials from community correction, who say measuring the effects of the law is slow-going.
"Give us the raw data. And while it may not be complete, it's at least something," says Senator Jeremy Hutchinson. "We need as much information as we can get, and certainly don't need to wait two more years to begin looking at it."
Officials from community correction say they hope to have some numbers to lawmakers before the end of the upcoming legislative session, which is about a month away.
