The Pennsylvania Senate passed a bill to limit length of probation, prevent people from being sent back to jail for minor violations
- https://whyy.org/articles/probation-system-pennsylvania-senate/
- penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/he-got-caught-up-in-the-probation-system-why-a-new-fix-could-help-friday-morning-coffee
- penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/long-time-coming-pa-senate-passes-probation-reform-bill-wednesday-morning-coffee
- aclupa.org/en/legislation/sb-838-faux-probation-reform
- legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20230&cosponId=38698
- legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2023&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=838
- legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2023&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0838&pn=0940
- legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/li/uconsCheck.cfm?yr=2023&sessInd=0&act=44
The bill aims to limit the length of probation sentences and the circumstances under which a nonviolent offender on probation can be sent to jail. It does not, however, put a cap on the length of a probation sentence.
Under it, a judge can order an end to probation, regardless of any agreement on a sentence between a prosecutor and the defendant. Judges would also no longer have wide latitude to extend probation.
State law currently does not limit the length of probation sentences and critics say nonviolent offenders are often incarcerated for technical violations that aren’t crimes, disrupting their families and employment. It also disproportionately affects racial minorities, they say.
Under the bill, probation review conferences would be required within certain periods of time, including two years for someone who committed a misdemeanor and four years for someone who committed a felony. Probation review cases can be held earlier for good behavior.