The proposed bill seeks to reduce recidivism in Arkansas by amending laws related to suspended sentences, probation, parole, and post-release supervision. It introduces definitions for "criminogenic" and "prosocial," emphasizing the need for probation conditions to be tailored to individual risks and needs. The bill mandates presentence investigations to inform these conditions and directs the Division of Community Correction to allocate resources towards moderate and high-risk offenders. Additionally, it requires treatment providers receiving state funds to utilize evidence-based programs, thereby enhancing rehabilitation efforts.

Further provisions include the creation of an Evidence-based Practices and Quality Assurance Unit within the Department of Corrections to assess programs and practices, as well as a system for evaluating community supervision officers. The bill also establishes a feedback system for the Division of Community Correction to gather data on processes and outcomes, and it introduces an "incentives and sanctions" grid to guide responses to behaviors of individuals under supervision. This grid will assign point values to both violations and positive actions, ensuring that supervision conditions are aligned with rehabilitation goals and public safety. The Department of Corrections is tasked with annual evaluations of service providers, with noncompliant providers facing disqualification from public funding, thereby promoting accountability within the correctional system.

Statutes affected:
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)
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)
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)