Sumpter

The sole issue in this case is whether pursuant to G. L. c. 127, § 49, consecutive sentences are to be aggregated for purposes of forfeiting statutory good conduct credits when an inmate escapes from work release. Section 49 reads in pertinent part as follows: “[A]ll deductions from the sentence or sentences [the inmate] was serving at the time of such escape, authorized by [G. L. c. 127, § 1291] shall be forfeited.” The Department of Corrections (department) construes this statute to mean that consecutive sentences shall be combined into one sentence from which the prisoner’s accumulated…