(RightWing.org) – A conservative governor is pushing back against the Biden administration’s weakness on law and order. Arkansas has been hit with a dramatic rise in crime. Starting next year, anyone committing a violent crime in the state won’t be getting early release on parole — they’ll serve their entire sentence in jail.
The legislation will require anyone convicted of any of 18 violent offenses such as capital murder and rape to serve 100% of their sentences. https://t.co/Cp5cD9WDKF
— 5NEWS (@5NEWS) April 12, 2023
On April 11, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) signed the Truth in Sentencing bill, an updated sentencing law aimed at deterring crime. Under the new law, which will go into effect next year, anyone convicted of a list of 18 violent crimes, including rape and capital murder, will no longer be eligible for parole and must spend their full sentence behind bars.
Starting in 2025, parole eligibility for some other crimes, including second-degree murder and manslaughter, will also be restricted, ensuring perpetrators serve at least 85% of their sentences.
At the signing ceremony at Arkansas’s State Police headquarters, Huckabee Sanders said the bill, which was approved by the Arkansas Senate on April 3, would put an end to violent criminals being released without serving “serious prison time.” Since taking office in January, Huckabee Sanders, the daughter of former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, has made law and order one of her top priorities.
As well as the sentencing bill, she also signed a new law that could put fentanyl dealers in prison for up to 60 years if one of their customers dies. She’s getting strong backing from the state’s GOP lawmakers; State Senator Ben Gilmore (R), who sponsored the bill, said Arkansas is “experiencing chaos” and the bill should help restore order.
Liberals have, predictably, attacked the bill. State Senator Clarke Tucker (D) complained that it’s a “lock them up and throw away the key” policy, while State Representative Andrew Collins (D) is worried it will make prisons more dangerous. However, ordinary Americans want the crime problem dealt with, and Huckabee Sanders is delivering.
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