§ 12-29-202 - Classification committee -- Classifications. - Arkansas Statutes

12-29-202. Classification committee -- Classifications.

(a) (1) There is established a classification committee to be defined by administrative regulations 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 Department of Correction and Department of Community Correction per board regulation 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 regulations 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 Department 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 two hundred seventy (270) days, for each successful completion of a:

(A) State-sponsored general education development certificate program;

(B) Vocational program for which certification is awarded; or

(C) Drug or alcohol treatment program offered at a Department of Correction facility.

(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) In no event shall the awarding of meritorious good time under subdivision (d)(1) of this section be applicable to persons sentenced under 16-93-611(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.