Attorney General Jason Miyares has urged the General Assembly to maintain limits on enhanced earned sentence credits in Virginia, citing alarming recidivism data. In a letter to the Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia Senate, Attorney General Miyares expressed concerns over allowing violent offenders to receive sentence reductions under the 2020 enhanced earned sentence credit law.
In the letter, Attorney General Miyares emphasized the public safety risks and financial strains associated with cutting sentences for violent offenders. He stated, “Cutting sentences for violent crime, especially in cases identified as a high risk for recidivism, is having a detrimental impact on public safety throughout Virginia. Allowing such a practice is not justice, and it’s not safe.”
The Attorney General highlighted that evidence now shows the enhanced earned sentence credits program poses a danger to Virginians and public safety due to the risk of recidivism by violent offenders. He pointed out that allowing 8,300 offenders, 99.6% of whom have been convicted of a violent felony, to have their sentences reduced could cost taxpayers at least $7.3 million annually.
Attorney General Miyares urged the General Assembly to consider the cost concerns and recent recidivism data as they address budgetary and legislative changes regarding the earned sentence credit program. He encouraged the adoption of the Governor’s proposed budget item 390 R.2. to address these issues.
The current biennial budget temporarily prohibits the application of enhanced sentence credits to inmates convicted of a mix of violent and nonviolent offenses in the same act or transaction. However, this temporary prohibition is set to expire on July 1, 2024, potentially allowing thousands of violent offenders to qualify for sentence reductions.
In conclusion, Attorney General Miyares called on the General Assembly to carefully consider the implications of expanding earned sentence credits for violent offenders and to prioritize public safety in their decision-making process.
For media inquiries and further details, the full letter from Attorney General Miyares can be accessed on the Office of the Attorney General's website.