A bill commemorating a slain deputy sheriff is headed to a full vote from the Alabama House this week.
The proposed legislation, already passed by the Senate, will steeply limit the amount of time inmates can receive for following prison rules, commonly known as “good time” incentives.
Sen. April Weaver (R-Alabaster) titled the legislation “The Deputy Brad Johnson Act” honoring an Alabama law enforcement officer was gunned down by an inmate who shouldn’t have been out of prison that day.
The laws governing “good time” credits dates back to the 1980s, but lawmakers say it’s time to take another look.
“This tragic situation revealed a flaw in our system that was literally lethal that day,” said Weaver. “I believe we have an opportunity to correct that.”
Last June, Bibb County Deputies Brad Johnson and Chris Poole were shot during the pursuit of a stolen vehicle. Johnson, 32, was killed by the suspect, leaving behind a fiancé and two young children. The killer had been released early for a previous conviction, despite attempting to escape from a work-release facility that should’ve erased his good time credits.
“A class-1 inmate, who is the lowest level offender, can earn 75 days for every 30 days that they’re well-behaved and good,” said Rep. Russell Bedsole (R-Alabaster). “This bill would change this to more day-by-day.”
The bill will make inmates ineligible for good time if they commit certain acts or attempt to escape while incarcerated for particularly violent offenses such as homicide, assault, rioting, and arson.
The legislation passed 30-1 in the Senate and is on track for strong support in the House chamber this week. Weaver was joined in the Statehouse by Johnson’s friends, family and law enforcement colleagues upon passage.
Deputy Chris Poole, who also was shot, was in attendance.
“What happened to me and Deputy Johnson was a horrifying experience, but we’re going to get through it and we’re going to save the lives of many others through seeing this legislation passed,” he said.
Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 legislative session.
