County mulls ‘good time’ policy for jail inmates

BENTONVILLE — A policy allowing inmates in the Benton County Jail to earn “good time” and possibly reduce their sentences was discussed Tuesday by justices of the peace.

“It’s just a policy to put us in federal compliance,” Lt. Robin Holt, a jail supervisor with the Sheriff’s Office told the justices of the peace.

The Committee of the Whole recommended adopting the revised policy. The proposal will go on to the Quorum Court for consideration at its April 26 meeting.

Pat Adams, justice of the peace for District 6, said the policy will help manage the jail population.

“It’s going to help us move them in and out a bit quicker,” Adams said.

According to the proposal, the Sheriff’s Office will have a three-member “classification committee” to determine an inmate’s classification in regard to earning meritorious good time. The committee will assign inmates to one of three classifications: Class I, Class II or Class III.

All inmates are assigned to Class I status when they are sentenced to time in jail. Class I inmates will receive credit for 10 days for every 30 days the inmates actually serves. Class II inmates, those who participate in an inmate work program, will receive one day credit for every day they serve. Class III inmates don’t qualify for meritorious good time. Inmates are moved to the Class III designation for disciplinary infractions. An inmate moved to the Class III status will lose any good time they may have accrued.

Mike McKenzie, justice of the peace for District 1, asked Holt how the inmates garner the good time.

“As long as they don’t violate the rules of the facility they will be granted the 10 days for every 30 days served,” Holt said. Holt said the language in the policy is also being changed to make it clear it applies to all inmates sentenced to time in the county jail. The current policy only makes reference to inmates sentenced to the jail for misdemeanor offences.