State says 'life' inmates can't shorten sentences

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - State officials say dozens of violent North Carolina inmates who thought they were getting out of prison this year can't knock time off their sentences for good behavior.

By: By MIKE BAKER Associated Press Writer | WNCT
Published: November 19, 2009

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - State officials say dozens of violent North Carolina inmates who thought they were getting out of prison this year can't knock time off their sentences for good behavior.
Gov. Beverly Perdue said Thursday the inmates will not be allowed to accrue good behavior credits to shorten their time behind bars. Those credits will only be used for improving an inmate's custody status so they can have chance of leaving prison on parole.
One of the inmates, Bobby Bowden, had successfully argued in state courts that his life sentence was defined as only 80 years long. He also argued that credits knocked more than half the time off his sentence, meaning he is eligible for unconditional release.
Perdue said she continues to pursue all legal means to prevent that from happening.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)