A new law has been passed in Arkansas signed by Republican Gov. Sarah Sanders that has officially ending the possibility of a shortened prison sentence for those that have committed heinous crimes such as rape, first-degree murder, human trafficking and a number of other felony charges.
In all, 24 types of felony charges fall under the new law called the Protect Arkansas Act which include rape, aggravated robbery and child pornography possession and those convicted of any of these crimes will serve the full prison term without the possibility of parole. Those who were convicted of other felonies like manslaughter or fentanyl delivery must serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before a possibility of early release.
The new law will take effect in 2024 and will apply to felony offenses which are convicted thereafter. During the bill signing ceremony, Governor Sanders was surrounded by a major law enforcement presence who all seem to strongly support the bill.
In a tweet from Sanders, “The failed public safety status quo ends today in Arkansas.”
Not only did Sanders sign the Protect Arkansas Act on Tuesday, she also passed a new law called the Fentanyl Enforcement and Accountability Act.
“Arkansas will now charge drug dealers with murder if they deliver certain drugs that cause an overdose,” Sanders said. “For the most heinous drug dealers, those who traffic fentanyl to children, we will charge them with life in prison.”
During Sanders 2022 campaign for Arkansas Governor, the homicide rate in Little Rock rose by 24% from the year prior, rape and robberies also rose by 8% and 5% respectively. The Governor knew “criminals in Arkansas do not fear the state’s criminal justice system,” so she pledged to close parole system loopholes and vowed to “never defund the police” in order to make the capital city and all of Arkansas safe.