Proposition 128 - Parole Eligibility for Crimes of Violence

Summary

Proposition 128 proposes amending the Colorado statutes to: increase the amount of prison time a person convicted of certain crimes of violence must serve before becoming eligible for discretionary parole or earned time reductions; and make a person convicted of a third crime of violence ineligible for discretionary parole or earned time reductions.

A "yes" vote on Proposition 128 would require a person convicted of certain crimes of violence to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence in prison before being eligible for discretionary parole or earned time reductions, and make a person convicted of a third or subsequent crime of violence ineligible for earned time or discretionary parole.

A "no" vote on Proposition 128 keeps the current requirement that a person convicted of certain crimes of violence serve 75 percent of their sentence in prison before being eligible for discretionary parole, minus earned time for progressing in personal, professional, or educational programs.

Arguments

"I think people are really shocked and appalled when they understand that because of earned time, good time, the parole board, these violent criminals are getting out at less than half of their sentence. There's many stories about people getting out early, reoffending the victims out there. I think it's definitely worth that money to keep violent criminals in jail longer than they're getting out right now at an average of 46 percent of their sentence." - Michael Fields, President of Advance Colorado, in support of Proposition 128 (Learn more)

"We have seen through American history that increasing penalties on crimes does not deter crime. This ballot measure just eliminates a tool that DOC has to help individuals get back on their feet and get back to their families." - Kyle Giddings, Civic Engagement Coordinator for Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, in opposition to Proposition 128 (Learn more)

"Initiative 112 keeps people convicted of crimes of violence in prison for a longer period of time in an effort to increase public safety and ensure that justice is served. People who commit these dangerous crimes should be kept away from their victims and the community without opportunities for discretionary parole or earned time. Victims and their family members deserve the sense of security that prolonged periods of incarceration will provide." - CO Legislative Hearings Comments, in support of Proposition 128 (Learn more)

"We think [the initiative] is a very bad idea for Colorado. It's likely to be a giveaway to private prison corporations. It would needlessly increase our prison population. It would cost taxpayers millions of dollars and not result in any public safety benefit. What current policy also makes sure happens is that we're not needlessly locking up people, that the Colorado Department of Corrections and prison officials all agree can be released safety with no threat of re-offending. [The initiative] is increasing the time that people would have to serve sentences for no real reason, no real benefit at all." - Taylor Pendergrass, Director of Advocacy at ACLU CO, in opposition to Proposition 128 (Learn more)

Measure Details