Correctional Facilities and COVID-19 in Pennsylvania
Recent COVID-19 developments have pushed Pennsylvania officials to consider early release options from county and state correctional facilities.
Approximately 1,100 individuals remain in state prisons for nonviolent offenses even though they have already served their minimum sentences and have not yet received a parole hearing. Another 600 individuals remain incarcerated for technical parole violations and have not been charged with new crimes.
Officials may place eligible individuals in halfway houses or on house arrest rather than keeping them in custody.
The rapid spread of COVID-19 has raised serious health concerns inside Pennsylvania correctional facilities. Overcrowded conditions make social distancing difficult, particularly for individuals with underlying medical conditions.
If you or a loved one faces incarceration concerns related to COVID-19, Freundlich and Littman LLC can evaluate your legal options. In appropriate cases, we file motions, request hearings, and seek sentence modifications or supervision changes.
Call our direct correctional facility line at 215-461-3619 for a free consultation.
Early Release Proposals in Pennsylvania
Corrections Secretary John Wetzel recently addressed state lawmakers regarding proposed legislation that would allow certain inmates to qualify for early release.
The administration’s proposal would apply to:
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Individuals serving sentences for nonviolent offenses
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Individuals within nine months of their scheduled release date
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Individuals within 12 months of release who face heightened health risks from COVID-19
Health officials would prioritize individuals considered medically vulnerable, including those who are immunocompromised. According to Wetzel, approximately 12,000 individuals in Pennsylvania state prisons fall into a medically vulnerable category under CDC guidance.
Wetzel continues discussions with Senate lawmakers, the Office of Victim Advocate, and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association to evaluate possible legislative action.
Legislative Process and Parole Review
The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association has acknowledged that a temporary legislative solution may be reasonable given the ongoing public health concerns. However, any proposal must:
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Focus on nonviolent offenses
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Provide structured supervision
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Include input from the local district attorney
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Include input from the sentencing judge
State lawmakers must pass legislation before any large-scale release occurs. If enacted, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole would review cases individually and determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
