John Conyers: “I support this bill which requires prisoners eligible for drug treatment to successfully complete drug treatment…”

“I support this bill which requires prisoners eligible for drug treatment to successfully complete drug treatment programs and remain drug free after the program's completion to receive good time credit. Current law unfairly favors drug-abusing offenders--who may receive up to a year off their prison terms by undergoing treatment--in comparison with nondrug abusing offenders who have no comparable opportunity for early release. This bill provides that good time credit would not vest for an eligible prisoner unless the prisoner successfully completes a substance abuse treatment program and remains drug-free thereafter. Good time credit would accumulate, as it would for any prisoner, but it would not vest and could be revoked at any time prior to release if the prisoner did not receive treatment for drug abuse or if the offender failed to remain drug-free. The incentives in the current law are misguided. Current law actually allows prisoners with drug problems to reduce their sentences more than prisoners who have no substance abuse problems. I support this bill because it rectifies this incentive problem while still encouraging prisoners with substance abuse problems to receive treatment.”