January 3, 2025

LITTLE ROCK – Anyone who commits a violent felony in 2025 will learn that Arkansas law has become much tougher on serious criminals.

They will serve longer prison sentences, and many serious offenders will not be eligible for early release. If they are eligible, they will have to work harder to earn it. If they satisfy all the conditions for parole and early release, their supervision will be stricter and they will be returned to prison if they continue to flout the law.

The tougher prison sentences are in Act 659, also known as the Protect Arkansas Act. The legislature passed it by an overwhelming margin in 2023, but several provisions for longer sentences and stricter parole conditions took effect on January 1, 2025.

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