March 22, 2013

O’Dea Supports Repeal of Good Time Credits for Violent Criminals

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HARTFORD- Listening to testimony from family members of homicide victims, State Rep. Thomas O’Dea (R-125) expressed his opposition to giving early release (good time) credits for violent criminals.

Legislators in the Judiciary Committee are conducting a public hearing on proposed legislation to repeal the program allowing Connecticut inmates to earn credit toward early release for good behavior.

Rep. O’Dea, a practicing attorney in the state, “After hearing today’s public hearing testimony, it is clear to me this program is putting our public safety at risk. Our duty as legislators is to safeguard and protect the public and although having inmates serve their full sentence may not prevent them from hurting someone again, it does send the right message that Connecticut is about preventing crime.”

The program currently allows inmates to earn up to a maximum of five days a month off their sentence for complying with certain programs, and for their accompanying good behavior. The credits can be revoked.

The program permits the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections to award the credits to inmates for good behavior retroactive to April 1, 2006. The only felons ineligible for the program are those convicted of murder, first-degree sexual assault and home invasion. It allows criminals who committed crimes such as rape, arson, kidnapping or sexual molestation of a child under 13, out of jail before their sentences are completed.

In June of 2012, a 70-year-old small business owner was shot and killed at his Meriden convenience store. The man arrested for that murder earned 199 days of Risk Reduction Credits while serving time for robbery. In August of 2012, an East Hartford store clerk was also murdered. The man arrested, who was previously convicted for robbery and assault, was released early from jail this year due the Early Release Program.

Reps. O’Dea, Marra to Host Legislative Forum in Darien

HARTFORD – State Representatives Tracy Marra (R-141) and Deputy Republican Leader Tom O’Dea (R-125) are hosting residents from their districts for a legislative forum at the Darien Town Hall Room 119 on Tuesday, January 14th from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Residents of the 141st and 125th districts looking for information about the 2025-2027 legislative session, or with questions about state government, are encouraged […]

January 3, 2025

Rep. Tom O’Dea Announces Funding for Local Infrastructure Upgrades in Stamford

State Local Bridge Project allocation includes two projects in Stamford STAMFORD – On Thursday, State Representative Tom O’Dea announced a new allocation of state funding from the CT Dept. of Transportation (CTDOT) to improve locally-owned bridges across Connecticut. The $15.8 million funding injection through the State Local Bridge Project will benefit 18 projects in Connecticut, […]

July 12, 2024