H.B. 5525, An Act Concerning Accountability for the Earned Risk Reduction Credit Program; H.B. 5526, An Act Concerning Good Time Credits and the Earned Risk Reduction Credit Program; and H.B. 5527, An Act Excluding Persons Convicted

Reducing or setting limits to the risk reduction credit program (“program”) is poor public policy, as it will make Connecticut less safe, contribute to costly prison overcrowding, make Connecticut's prisons more dangerous, and expose the state to civil rights lawsuits. The threat of removal of earned risk reduction credits potentially creates a disincentive for people to exhibit positive behaviors and engage in important programming while they are imprisoned. Additionally, excluding select individuals from such a beneficial program marginalizes various groups, therefore lowering their chances of successful rehabilitation and recovery.