§ 12-29-202 — Classification committee - Classifications

(a) (1) There is established a classification committee to be defined by administrative rules approved by the Board of Corrections. (2) Members of the committee shall be selected by wardens or supervisors of the various units, facilities, or centers of the Division of Correction and Division of Community Correction per board rule governing their selection. (3) This committee shall meet as often as necessary to classify the inmates into no more than four (4) classes according to good behavior, good discipline, medical condition, job responsibilities, and involvement in rehabilitative activities. (b) (1) An inmate who maintains class through good behavior, good discipline, work practices, job responsibilities, and involvement in rehabilitative activities may earn up to one (1) day for every day served as a reduction toward his or her transfer eligibility date for each day incarcerated after the imposition of sentence. (2) An inmate who is reduced to the lowest class, established through board policy, as a result of disciplinary action shall not be entitled to earn meritorious good time. (3) An inmate serving a punitive disciplinary sentence in punitive segregation shall not be entitled to earn meritorious good time. (c) An inmate may be reclassified as often as the committee deems necessary or in accordance with current board rules to carry out the purpose of this subchapter and to maintain good discipline, order, and efficiency at the units, facilities, or centers. (d) (1) Upon recommendation of the committee, the Director of the Division of Correction may award an amount of meritorious good time sufficient to reduce incarceration time by up to ninety (90) days, not to exceed a total of three hundred sixty (360) days, for each successful completion of a: (A) State-sponsored general education development certificate program; (B) Vocational program for which certification is awarded; (C) Drug or alcohol treatment program offered at a Division of Correction facility; or (D) Pre-release and other rehabilitative programs or assignments as approved by the board. (2) (A) The additional days of meritorious good time described in subdivision (d)(1) of this section shall be awarded pursuant to rules promulgated by the board. (B) The board may make additions, amendments, changes, or alterations to the rules in accordance with the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq. (e) Meritorious good time awarded under subdivision (d)(1) of this section shall not be applicable to persons sentenced under § 16-93-618(a)(1)(A) -(E). (f) A jury may be instructed pursuant to § 16-97-103 regarding the awarding of meritorious good time under subdivision (d)(1) of this section.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 898, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 897, eff. 7/24/2019. Acts 1993, No. 536, § 3; 1993, No. 558, § 3; 1997, No. 876, § 1; 2005, No. 681, § 1; 2007, No. 1413, § 1; 2011, No. 570, § 74; 2011, No. 748, § 1.