PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Provide Additional Deductions from a Sentence of Imprisonment for Completion of Education, Mental Health Treatment and Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  17-A MRSA §1253, sub-§15  is enacted to read:
 
15.      A person who commits a crime on or after October 1, 2017 and is subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment for that crime to a state correctional facility may earn deductions from the sentence of imprisonment as provided in this subsection if the person achieves the goals assigned in the person's transition plan for an educational, vocational, career or technical training program or a mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment program. Deductions earned by the person pursuant to this subsection are earned upon achievement of the transition plan goal and may not be denied or withdrawn based on consideration of disciplinary factors or daily attendance or a decision of an employee of the Department of Corrections. A person may earn only one deduction pursuant to this subsection per sentence of imprisonment.
 
The goals that may be assigned in the person's transition plan and the deductions that are earned as a result of achievement of the goals are as follows:
 
A.  For achievement of a general high school equivalency diploma, either through completion of course work or a test authorized and approved by the Department of Corrections, a deduction of 90 days from the sentence;
 
B.  For achievement of an adult high school diploma, a deduction of 120 days from the sentence;
 
C.  For achievement of an associate degree from an accredited institution of higher education, a deduction of 180 days from the sentence;
 
D.  For achievement of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education, a deduction of 365 days from the sentence;
 
E.  For achievement of completion of a vocational, career or technical training program authorized and approved by the Department of Corrections, a deduction of 60 days from the sentence;
 
F.  For achievement of completion of a mental health program and treatment course that is recommended or approved by the Department of Corrections and recommended by clinical treatment staff of the department for the person, a deduction of 60 days from the sentence; and
 
G.  For achievement of completion of a substance abuse program and treatment course that is recommended or approved by the Department of Corrections and recommended by clinical treatment staff of the department for the person, a deduction of 60 days from the sentence.
 
SUMMARY
This bill provides for deductions from a prison sentence based on achievement of goals in a person's transition plan for educational, vocational, career or technical training programs or mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment programs for a person who commits a crime on or after October 1, 2017. The deductions are earned upon achievement of a transition plan goal and may not be denied or withdrawn based on consideration of disciplinary factors or daily attendance or a decision of an employee of the Department of Corrections. A person may earn only one deduction per sentence of imprisonment. The goals and the deductions are: for achievement of a high school equivalency diploma, a deduction of 90 days from the sentence; for achievement of an adult high school diploma, a deduction of 120 days; for achievement of an associate degree from an accredited institution of higher education, a deduction of 180 days; for achievement of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education, a deduction of 365 days; for achievement of completion of a vocational, career or technical training program authorized and approved by the department, a deduction of 60 days; for achievement of completion of a mental health program and treatment course, a deduction of 60 days; and for achievement of completion of a substance abuse program and treatment course, a deduction of 60 days.