The bill aims to reduce recidivism in Arkansas by amending laws related to suspended imposition of sentences, probation, parole, and post-release supervision. It introduces definitions for "criminogenic" factors and "prosocial" behaviors, emphasizing that probation conditions should be tailored to an individual's specific risks and needs. The legislation mandates presentence investigations to inform these conditions and directs the Division of Community Correction to allocate resources effectively towards moderate and high-risk offenders, ensuring that treatment providers employ evidence-based practices.

Further amendments establish an Evidence-based Practices and Quality Assurance Unit within the Department of Corrections to assess programs and practices, and create a system for evaluating community supervision officers. The bill also modifies the discharge process for community supervision, ensuring timely handling of objections to early discharge. Additionally, it introduces a feedback system for collecting data on community correction processes and outcomes, along with an "incentives and sanctions" grid to guide responses to prosocial behaviors and violations. The conditions of supervision will be tailored to support rehabilitation and public safety, and the Department of Corrections will conduct annual evaluations of service providers, disqualifying those that do not comply with standards.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB485 V2 - 4-3-2025 09:20 AM: 5-4-101, 5-4-303(a), 5-4-303(c), 5-4-306, 12-27-103(b), 12-27-126(d), 12-27-127(a), 12-29-112, 16-10-103, 16-13-703(c), 16-90-102, 16-90-802(d), 16-90-1304(b), 04-03-2025, 16-93-101, 16-93-306(c), 16-93-306(d), 16-93-712(a), 16-93-712(c), 16-93-712(d), 16-93-1202(6), 16-93-1906(a), 16-93-1906(c), 16-93-1907(a)
Old version SB485 Original - 3-17-2025 04:13 PM: 5-4-101, 5-4-303(a), 5-4-303(c), 5-4-306, 12-27-103(b), 12-27-126(d), 12-27-127(a), 12-29-112, 16-10-103, 16-13-703(c), 16-90-102, 16-90-802(d), 16-90-1304, 16-93-101, 16-93-306(c), 16-93-306(d), 16-93-712(a), 16-93-712(c), 16-93-712(d), 16-93-1202(6), 16-93-1906(a), 16-93-1906(c)
SB 485: 5-4-101, 5-4-303(a), 5-4-303(c), 5-4-306, 12-27-103(b), 12-27-126(d), 12-27-127(a), 12-29-112, 16-10-103, 16-13-703(c), 16-90-102, 16-90-802(d), 16-90-1304, 16-93-101, 16-93-306(c), 16-93-306(d), 16-93-712(a), 16-93-712(c), 16-93-712(d), 16-93-1202(6), 16-93-1906(a), 16-93-1906(c)
Act 670: 5-4-101, 5-4-303(a), 5-4-303(c), 5-4-306, 12-27-103(b), 12-27-126(d), 12-27-127(a), 12-29-112, 16-10-103, 16-13-703(c), 16-90-102, 16-90-802(d), 16-90-1304(b), 04-03-2025, 16-93-101, 16-93-306(c), 16-93-306(d), 16-93-712(a), 16-93-712(c), 16-93-712(d), 16-93-1202(6), 16-93-1906(a), 16-93-1906(c), 16-93-1907(a)