(DENVER) – A House committee’s rejection today of a common-sense “Truth in Sentencing” bill is a setback for public safety that jump-starts an effort to put the measure before voters this November, according to Advance Colorado President Michael Fields.
 
“A key reason why Colorado has one of the highest recidivism rates in the nation and a sky-high crime rate is that violent criminals are serving less than half their sentences on average before being put back on the streets,” Fields said.  “This measure would make communities safer, and create fewer victims, by keeping violent criminals behind bars for at least 85 percent of their sentences.”  

Fields applauded Rep. Mike Lynch and Sens. Mark Baisley and Perry Will for sponsoring the legislation.  

He said Advance Colorado has filed Truth in Sentencing – part of the group’s Moving Colorado Forward policy agenda -- as an initiative for this year’s ballot. 

“A legislative committee defeat is a setback but not a dead end for Truth in Sentencing,” he said. “Surveys consistently show that crime is one of Coloradans’ top concerns.  We’re confident that when Colorado voters have the chance to consider this measure, they will strongly endorse this new tool to keep violent criminals behind bars longer and out of our communities.”