Arizona bipartisan group to study earned release program for prisoners

PHOENIX — A bipartisan group of Arizona lawmakers will look into the current earned release credits system for inmates.

Prisoners can currently earn credit for early release after the completion of training, treatment and education programs.

Advocates for criminal justice reform say the current system is far too restrictive and their attempts to improve it have been denied.

Republican Walter Blackman was selected by House Speaker Rusty Bowers on Thursday to head the panel.

Bowers says the committee will allow lawmakers to collect information and create reformations for the program.

Blackman says he expects the panel to lay the foundation for genuine progress in next year’s legislative session.

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