The Senate Corrections & Criminal Law Committee heard Sen. Houchin’s SB 405 on offenses committed by incarcerated individuals. The bill provides that the knowing or intentional possession of a cell phone, storage media, a SIM card, or any other cellular or wireless communications device while incarcerated in a jail or state penal facility is a Level 5 felony instead of a Class A … [Read more...] about Offenses committed by incarcerated individuals
Department of Correction
Lifetime parole
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard Sen. Zakas’ SB 38 on lifetime parole. The bill requires a sexually violent predator released on lifetime parole to be placed on 24 hour GPS monitoring even if funds have not been specifically appropriated to the Department of Correction for this purpose and requires the parole board to inform the superintendent of the D … [Read more...] about Lifetime parole
Commitment to DOC for a Level 6 felony
The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard Rep. Steuerwald’s HB 1010 on commitment to DOC for a Level 6 felony. Rep. Steuerwald explained that the bill, endorsed by the Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council (JRAC), would clarify when certain Level 6 felons could be committed to the Department of Corrections (DOC). The Indiana Public Defender Council’s Larry Landis, chair … [Read more...] about Commitment to DOC for a Level 6 felony
Monetary awards for exonerated prisoners
The House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code heard Rep. Steuerwald’s HB 1062 on monetary awards for exonerated prisoners. The author explained that the bill establishes a DNA exoneration fund, with an initial $200,000 appropriation, to pay convicted persons exonerated by DNA evidence $25,000 for each year of wrongful incarceration in the Department of Corrections. Rep. Porter and … [Read more...] about Monetary awards for exonerated prisoners
Victim notification
The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard Sen. Head’s SB 239 on victim notification. The bill provides that if the discharge or release date of an offender is changed during the 40-day notification period before an offender's planned discharge or release, the Department of Correction shall notify the victim as soon as possible, but not more than 48 hours after the c … [Read more...] about Victim notification