A bill that would allow more people to earn an early release from prison by completing programming is progressing in the Arizona Legislature. 

House Bill 2713 would modify the earned release credits program to allow inmates sentenced for specific offenses to earn release credits at the rate of five days for every six days served.

The bill would also require the Arizona Department of Corrections to submit an annual report on the program.

J. Alexandria Hunt, who was formerly incarcerated, spoke in favor of the bill. “People who are demonstrating the desire to better themselves should have the ability to earn release credits, go home to their families and become positive contributors to their communities and local economies," she said.

The bill would not apply to people convicted of a crime deemed violent or dangerous. It passed the House criminal justice reform committee unanimously.