Ohio Senate Bill 121: Mandatory sentences, not "shock probation"

The Columbus Dispatch this morning is reporting “Shock probation might be revived in Ohio,” referencing  proposed SB 121 (“Violent Career Criminal Act”), introduced by Senators Jim Hughes and Frank LaRose back in May.

  To be sure, SB 121 does not deal with “shock probation/parole,” though aspects of that were dealt with in HB 86 two years ago, becoming effective in Sept. 2011

  Senators Hughes’ and LaRose’s bill, in fact, takes an exactly opposite approach:

• doubling the mandatory prison term for an offender who is convicted of a firearm specification having been previously  convicted of a firearm specification;

• similarly double the period of authorized or mandatory commitment to the Department of Youth Services of a delinquent child who is guilty of a firearm specification and previously having been adjudicated a delinquent child for committing an act that would constitute a violation of a firearm specification if committed by an adult;

• prohibiting  violent career criminals from knowingly acquiring, having, carrying, or using any firearm or dangerous ordnance;

• and requiring a mandatory prison term for a violent career criminal convicted of committing a violent felony offense while armed with a firearm.

Text & Legislative Service's Analysis of SB 121