Prison sentencing bill revised to address overcrowding

The House Judiciary Committee has revised Senate Bill 2128, removing a key provision and adding a study of the North Dakota justice system. The original bill, aimed at increasing time served in prison, faced concerns over overcrowding and costs. Amendments now allow prisoners to enter halfway houses during the final six months of their sentences and provide funding for electronic monitoring. A do-not-pass recommendation was issued, and the bill will be reviewed by the House Appropriations Committee next week.