Politics & Government
Fuhr Aims to Improve Public Safety with Corrections Law
The representative believes the law will save millions out of the $660 million Department of Corrections budget and reduce the number of parole violators held in county jails.
Rep. Gary Fuhr (R-97) saw his goal become a reality when Gov. Nixon signed his Justice Reinvestment Act into law July 7.
The new law aims to improve public safety while cutting correction costs.
Fuhr, a former FBI agent, received almost unanimous support in the house and senate with votes of 151-0 and 28-2, respectively.
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The new bill allows for the implementation of “swift and certain sanctions” by probation and parole officers when offenders might repeat their crimes. Counties in Missouri will be reimbursed at least $30 for these sanctions, which can include temporary jail time.
Offenders can also earn 30 days of credit for every month of compliance during their two years of supervision.
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Fuhr and his committee used input from local sheriffs, county officials, prosecutors, public defenders and police to shape the bill.
The representative believes the law will save millions out of the $660 million Department of Corrections budget and reduce the number of parole violators held in county jails. The extra space would then be used for high-risk offenders.
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