MS SB2251

Expands offenders' eligibility to earn trusty-time allowances of up to 30 days' sentence reduction per month through participation in approved programs, education, work projects, and incentive programs while in trusty status.

Removes sentence length and crime nature as blanket exclusions from trusty-time and earned-time allowance programs, except for offenders with life sentences, habitual offender convictions, crimes with mandatory non-reduction statutes, and trafficking convictions.

Clarifies that crimes must "specifically state that the sentence shall not be reduced" to disqualify offenders from these programs, replacing broader categorical exclusions for sex crimes.

Maintains existing exceptions to earned-time eligibility including life sentences (with conditional release option for those 65+ with 15+ years served), habitual offender convictions, and forfeiture by commissioner order.

Takes effect July 1, 2018.