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Bill Advances In CT For House Arrest, Ignition Interlocks For Low-Risk Offenders

HARTFORD, CT (AP / CBSNewYork) - Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's proposal to allow Connecticut's Department of Correction commissioner to place certain low-risk offenders under home confinement cleared a legislative hurdle on Wednesday.

WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau: If Offenders Violate Conditions, They'll Go To Jail

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Advocates of the bill, which passed the General Assembly's Judiciary Committee on a 29-12 vote, said it could reduce state prison costs as well as the number of reoffenders.

Under the proposed legislation, the DOC commissioner could release an inmate to his or her home if that person was sentenced to driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, drug paraphernalia crimes, or possession of less than four ounces of marijuana. Commissioner Leo Arnone has estimated there are now about 20 low-risk drug offenders and 200 low-risk DUI offenders that could be eligible for a home confinement program.

Some Republican lawmakers voiced concern during Wednesday's meeting about allowing repeat drunken drivers to serve their time at home, arguing it sends the wrong message.

A person with two drunken driving convictions currently faces up to two years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 120 consecutive days, plus probation and community service. Someone with three or more DUI convictions can face up to three years in prison with a mandatory minimum of one year, along with probation and community service.

"I don't want to see those weakened or lessened in any way,'' said Rep. David Labriola, R-Naugatuck. "It allows a situation where a person wouldn't have to serve a mandatory four months or one year when there is a second or third conviction.''

Also under the bill, people convicted for the first time of drunken driving could have their licenses suspended for three months instead of 12 months. For the remaining nine months, they would be required to use an ignition interlock device that would detect alcohol use and prevent the person from driving.

"There is a system that can be put in place that would confirm that they are, in fact, not ingesting any alcohol and, if they did, that would be it and they'd have to go back to jail," Rep. Gerald Fox told WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau.

Malloy's proposal also requires the commissioner to create an incentive plan to allow inmates to earn credits to reduce their sentences. The details are still being worked out and will be added to the bill later.

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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