RI Senate to vote on 'good time' bill

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Rhode Island lawmakers will be voting on the 'good time bill' Tuesday in the Senate.

The bill was introduced by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski and supported by the Rhode Island Attorney General's office.

Under the new bill, inmates who are serving one or more terms for murder, kidnapping of a minor, first degree sexual assault, or first or second degree child molestation, would not be allowed to earn time off their sentences for good behavior.

The bill is also strongly supported by the Foreman family of South Kingstown. John Foreman's 5-year-old son Jason was brutally murdered by convicted child killer Michael Woodmansee in 1975.

• Father of murdered tot vows revenge

While in prison, Woodmansee earned enough 'good time' credits to be released 12 years early.

Woodmansee is now receiving treatment at Slater Hospital.

• Woodmansee seeks voluntary commitment

If passed, the law would go into effect on July 1, 2012.

The law would only apply to prisoners’ awarded good time credits after that date.