Bill Would Reward Some Missouri Parolees Working Full-Time With Reduced Sentences

JEFFERSON CITY, MO (Missourinet) Legislation in the Missouri House would provide more incentives for some former prison inmates to find and keep full-time jobs.

The “Earning Safe Reentry Through Work Act” would reward non-violent offenders on parole, probation, or conditional release with 20 days shaved off their sentences for every 30 days of verified, full-time employment. The sponsor, Republican House Member Derek Grier of St. Louis County, says his bill is designed to help parolees and probationers “turn their lives around,” while at the same time helping to fill job vacancies in both the public and private sectors. The measure has passed through 2 committees but has not yet been scheduled for debate by the full House.