Arkansas Gov. Huckabee Sanders signs criminal justice and prison reform bills into law.
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed into law an overhaul of the state's sentencing laws that will eliminate parole eligibility for certain violent offenses. The law requires anyone convicted of any of 18 violent offenses, including capital murder and rape, to serve 100% of their sentences. Another part of the law that takes effect in 2025 will require offenders convicted of several other offenses to serve at least 85% of their sentences. Critics of the sentencing changes have cast doubt on whether they will reduce crime and said the measure could further crowd a prison system that is already beyond capacity.