What is the purpose of the truth-in-sentencing law?

The purpose of the truth-in-sentencing law is to ensure that offenders serve a substantial portion of their sentence. This law aims to provide greater transparency and reliability in sentencing by requiring that inmates serve a defined percentage of their sentences—often 85%—before they can be considered for parole. The intention behind this is to enhance public safety by limiting the possibility of early release, thus keeping individuals convicted of serious crimes incarcerated for longer periods. This approach is also intended to provide victims with a sense of justice, knowing that offenders will serve a significant amount of their time in prison, which can help to build public confidence in the criminal justice system. The law does not aim to eliminate parole entirely but rather to establish clear expectations about the length of time that offenders will actually spend behind bars.