Criminal Justice (Probation & Parole)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 231: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating to official visitation, providing for communications services for inmates in State or county correctional institutions; and making an appropriation.

This bill requires Pennsylvania state and county correctional facilities to provide free voice communication services (like phone calls) to all inmates. It mandates that facilities maintain at least the same level of access as on January 1, 2024, and ensure at least one operable phone device for every ten inmates in housing units or recreational areas. The bill prohibits charging inmates for communications, using services to replace in-person visits, or collecting fees from callers. It also appropriates $16.5 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (70% to the state, 30% to counties based on inmate population) to cover these costs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires free inmate communication services to maintain family ties, reducing recidivism risk. Aligns with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform by removing financial barriers to communication.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 731: An Act amending the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for probation without verdict.

HB 731 amends Pennsylvania's Controlled Substance Act to allow courts to grant probation without a conviction for nonviolent drug offenses. This applies when a person pleads guilty or no-contest to a nonviolent drug offense and proves drug dependency through testimony from a physician or psychologist. The bill caps the total fines and court costs for such probation at $300, setting a clear financial limit. It directly affects low-level drug offenders who qualify for this treatment-focused sentencing option.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows treatment-focused probation without conviction for nonviolent drug offenses, reducing incarceration and promoting rehabilitation per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequiring medical evaluation for drug dependency treatment shifts focus from punishment to healthcare, aligning with treatment-focused healthcare support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole Sentencing Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 496: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating to inmate confinement, providing for voter registration.

HB 496 requires Pennsylvania prison inmates to complete a voter registration form or a written declination form before release. This applies to all inmates in state correctional facilities who are eligible to vote. The bill mandates that the Department of Corrections, in collaboration with the Department of State, administers the process through specific forms and rules. It does not automatically register inmates but provides a structured method for them to register or decline registration prior to discharge. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables voting rights for released inmates, promoting reintegration and civil rights - core criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 691: An Act amending Titles 35 (Health and Safety), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) and 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Nonnarcotic Medication Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program; in organization and jurisdiction of courts of common pleas, providing for court assessments for substance use disorder treatment; in other criminal provisions, further providing for supervisory relationship to offenders; and, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for supervisory relationship to offenders.

SB 691 establishes the Nonnarcotic Medication Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program within Pennsylvania's Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. This program provides grants to local agencies, known as single county authorities, to offer comprehensive nonnarcotic medication-assisted treatment to offenders with substance use disorders. Eligible providers will assess offenders receiving various court-imposed sentences for drug-related offenses and offer individualized treatment plans, including FDA-approved nonnarcotic medication and counseling. The bill also allows courts to order substance use disorder assessments for these offenders and updates provisions related to their supervision by probation and parole.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes nonnarcotic medication-assisted treatment program for offenders with substance use disorders, aiming to reduce recidivism through rehabilitation rather than punishment, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nonnarcotic medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders via grants to local agencies, expanding healthcare access for offenders under court supervision.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 605: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, providing for earned compliance credit.

HB 605 creates a program where individuals on probation, parole, or post-release supervision in Pennsylvania can earn time off their supervision period by meeting specific requirements. For each month of compliance - including fulfilling their case plan, avoiding new arrests, and making scheduled payments for restitution or fines - they earn 15 days toward reducing their supervision term. Agencies must award these "earned compliance credits," place compliant individuals in nonactive status, and petition courts to shorten supervision when all financial obligations are met. Individuals facing financial hardship that prevents payments cannot be barred from earning credits if they meet other requirements. The bill requires agencies to publish forfeiture rules online for violations, limiting forfeited credits to those already earned.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill incentivizes compliance to reduce supervision time, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing recidivism and enhancing rehabilitation programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 744: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in miscellaneous provisions relating to inmate confinement, providing for overwatch towers.

SB 744 establishes a new requirement for correctional institutions in Pennsylvania. It mandates that overwatch towers at these facilities must be staffed by corrections officers during any outdoor movement of inmates. This rule applies unless an overwatch tower does not allow for supervision of inmates during such movements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates staffing of overwatch towers during inmate outdoor movements, enhancing correctional facility oversight and safety protocols within Pennsylvania's prison system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 13, 2025

HB 1454: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in judicial boards and commissions, further providing for powers and duties of commission, providing for adoption of guidelines for bail and pretrial release conditions and further providing for publication of guidelines for sentencing, resentencing and parole, risk assessment instrument and recommitment ranges following revocation.

HB 1454 expands the duties of the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing. The bill requires the commission to establish and publish guidelines for setting bail and pretrial release conditions. These guidelines will assist courts in determining appropriate conditions by considering factors such as the seriousness of the offense, a defendant's criminal history, and community-based support systems. It also mandates the commission to collect and disseminate data on bail and pretrial release practices, in addition to its existing responsibilities for sentencing and parole.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires standardized bail/pretrial guidelines based on offense severity, history, and community support, promoting fairer judicial decisions and data transparency per sentencing commission duties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 788: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for solitary confinement.

SB 788 prohibits solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons and jails by banning the practice of confining inmates alone for 20+ hours daily with severely restricted activity. It directly affects all inmates in state and county correctional facilities, including juvenile facilities and those held under federal contracts. The bill requires prisons to use alternatives like limiting visits, restricting commissary privileges, or assigning additional unpaid work - each capped at 14 days - instead of solitary confinement. These alternatives must be used for disciplinary purposes, with no more than 14 days of any single penalty. The law would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans solitary confinement (20+ hours/day) and mandates humane alternatives, directly advancing criminal justice reform by protecting inmate rights and reducing psychological harm.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 787: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for solitary confinement.

SB 787 establishes new rules for solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons and detention facilities. It defines solitary confinement as confinement alone for 20+ hours daily and prohibits its use for vulnerable populations - including youth, the elderly, pregnant individuals, LGBTQ+ people, and those with mental health or developmental disabilities - without specific medical evaluation. The bill limits solitary confinement to 15 consecutive days or 20 days in a 60-day period, requires a hearing within 72 hours of placement, and mandates daily clinical evaluations to identify vulnerable inmates who must be removed immediately. Facilities must also provide basic necessities, daily outside time, and prohibit 24-hour cell lighting without medical justification.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits solitary confinement for vulnerable populations and limits duration, advancing criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and reducing harmful practices.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires medical evaluations for vulnerable populations (including mental health patients) before solitary confinement, protecting mental health rights in prison settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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passed both · Pennsylvania · House Jul 23, 2026

HB 1042: An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses), 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure), 61 (Prisons and Parole) and 63 (Professions and Occupations (State Licensed)) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in crimes against unborn child, further providing for the offense of murder of unborn child; in arson, criminal mischief and other property destruction, further providing for the offense of arson and related offenses; in judicial boards and commissions, further providing for adoption of guidelines for sentencing; in posttrial matters, further providing for jurisdiction and proceedings; in sentencing, providing for sentence for general murder of the second degree, further providing for sentences for second and subsequent offenses and for life imprisonment for homicide, repealing provisions relating to transfer of inmates in need of medical treatment and providing for modification of an imposed term of imprisonment for reasons of illness; in general administration, providing for earned vocational training and education credit; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole power, for short sentence parole, for parole procedure and for victim statements, testimony and participation in hearing; and, in powers and duties, further providing for consideration of criminal convictions.

House Bill 1042 creates a system in Pennsylvania allowing eligible incarcerated individuals to earn credits that reduce their minimum sentence. Inmates can receive sentence reductions for completing vocational training, educational programs like a GED or college degree, and other department-required programming. The bill sets specific credit amounts for different achievements, with a maximum limit of one-fourth of an inmate's minimum sentence. However, individuals convicted of certain serious offenses, such as murder or sexual assault, are excluded from earning these credits.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates sentence reduction for inmates completing vocational/educational programs, directly advancing rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Violent Crime

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