(A) (1) Meritorious good time. A.C.A. 12-41-101 et seq. provides that an inmate committed by any court in the state may be entitled to a reduction, to be known as meritorious good time, to be granted to inmates as a result of good discipline, good behavior, work practices, and job responsibilities. Pursuant to the county detention center rules or regulations, there are three classes for computation of time for “good time.” These are referred to as Class I, Class II, and Class III.
(a) Class I. An inmate in this class will receive a total of ten days reduction of sentence for each month served on his/her sentence as long as he/she maintains a good conduct record with no violations of county detention center inmate rules, an outstanding work record, and exceptional institutional adjustment. This good time is intended for inmates who are performing any job tasks which require the highest degree of discipline, behavior, and responsibility.
(b) Class II. An inmate in this class will receive a total of five days reduction of sentence for each month served on his/her sentence as long as he/she maintains a good conduct record with no violations of county detention center inmate rules, a good work record, and good institutional adjustment. This good time is intended for inmates who cannot be considered for minimum security type assignment outside of the detention center but, nevertheless, are assigned a responsible job.
(c) Class III. An inmate in this class will receive no days reduction of sentence for each month served on his/her sentence. This class is generally referred to as “flat time” or “day-for-day.” These inmates are those persons that have to work to perform, who have poor institutional adjustment, or violate county detention center inmate rules.
(2) Exceptions. The foregoing shall not apply to any sentence of imprisonment for contempt or failure to pay fine, unless the sentencing court specifies otherwise. The sentencing court may order any inmate to be placed in Class III because of the seriousness of the offense. Lastly, this classification procedure shall not apply to any inmate on any work release program.
(B) Classification. Upon arrival at the county detention center, all misdemeanor inmates will be questioned with regard to his/her willingness to work, if physically able. If the inmate has expressed a desire to work during his/her imprisonment and a position becomes available, the inmate may be assigned on a first come first assigned basis, with a preference given for prior good work records.
(C) Forfeiture and restoration. All meritorious good time shall be forfeited by the inmate in the event of escape, and all or part of the accrued meritorious good time may be taken away by the Sheriff or Detention Administrator for violation of county inmate rules or criminal offenses. Furthermore, the Sheriff or Detention Administrator may restore all or part of any accrued meritorious good time. If any inmate has any grievance with regard to meritorious good time, his/her classification, or forfeiture or restoration of accrued good time, the inmate shall follow the grievance procedure as outlined in the county detention center inmate rules.
(D) Appeal. Any final decision regarding classification, forfeiture, or restoration by the Sheriff can be appealed to the sentencing court, and any further appeal may be made according to state law.
(Ord. 91-42, passed 12-17-91; Am. Ord. 2011-7, passed 3-15-11)