Criminal Sentencing

A number of draconian criminal sentencing bills failed to become law this session. Both the House and Senate approved their own versions of bills to get tough on drug crimes, but neither was enacted. The House bill would have doubled the criminal penalties – which already carry penalties of 30 years to life – for various drug crimes if committed within 300 yards of a public library, community center or place of worship. A Senate-passed bill proposed to double the sentences for offenders committing drug crimes in or around public housing projects. Fortunately, neither House took action on the other’s legislation. The House also took no action on a Senate bill that would have required many offenders to serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for parole. Although its passage was opposed by the R.I. Parole Board and would have cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars, only Senators Rhoda Perry and Elizabeth Roberts voted against it.