‘Deputy Brad Johnson Act’ to be considered by Alabama Senate committee

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Senate Bill one, or the “Deputy Brad Johnson Act,” is headed to the full Senate after advancing from a Senate judiciary committee Wednesday.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, would toughen the requirements for prison inmates to receive “good time” credits for early release.

According to the Associated Press, the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee voted 9-4 on Wednesday to advance the bill to the full Alabama Senate, which could be voted on as soon as Thursday.

The bill was named after Bibb County Deputy Brad Johnson, who was shot and killed while chasing a suspect. The suspect was a known felon who had been awarded early release for good behavior and had multiple incidents of violence and escape while incarcerated.

Alabama law currently allows inmates to have up to 75 days removed from their prison sentence for every 30 days served. This means prisoners can serve less than one-third of their sentence before being released on good behavior.

Weaver’s legislation will require all inmates to prove themselves for a set term of months before good time can begin to be accrued. It will also prohibit access to good time for those who commit serious offenses in prison.

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