MaryJane Slaby and Douglas Walker, Journal and Courier
Indiana prosecutors are concerned that pending changes in the state’s criminal code, set to go into effect next summer, will dramatically impair their ability to battle drug crimes. But after changes were made to the law during a committee meeting on Thursday, Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington said he is more confident in the law.
“I’m very optimistic based on the progress,” he said.
Several parts of the law, however, still need to be addressed before it takes effect on July 1, Harrington said.
Addressing drug crimes is one of the controversies brewing over the state criminal justice system’s first major overhaul in more than 35 years. House Enrolled Act 1006 was adopted by the state General Assembly last session, with the understanding the legislation would be “fine-tuned” before the changes take effect.
Yet, that’s not to say prosecutors aren’t in favor of many aspects of the code, including a provision that those incarcerated will serve at least 75 percent of the sentence imposed by a judge. (For many years, most inmates in Hoosier prisons receiving credit for good behavior have been released after serving half of their sentences.)
But under the new code, prosecutors say, those inmates will be serving 75 percent, rather than half, of significantly shorter prison terms, particularly in drug-related cases.