Jon Hansen on Crime

Prisoners should serve their entire sentences

SB 146 , a truth in sentencing law passed in 2023, lengthened the prison stay for some violent offenders. At the time the bill was passed, the long-term effects weren't entirely hashed out. In 2023 on the House floor, Rep. Jon Hansen [spoke in favor of the bill, noting that people sentenced to 10 years should not serve only 5 years]. Hansen said that's not truth in sentencing. "And what this bill does, is it says to that victim and to that victim's family, that when that sentence comes down from that judge and that judge says 7 years or 10 years, that means 7 years or 10 years," Hansen said. "And I think that's just for that victim and that victim's family that's sitting in that court room on that day. Now, to be clear there are some instances where supervised release would be appropriate."