FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:
Sept. 26, 2008 Chuck Ardo
717-783-1116
Governor Rendell Signs Prison Reform Package; Measures for Land Transfer, Military Burials
HARRISBURG – Governor Edward G. Rendell signed the following bills.
House Bill 4 provides non-violent offenders with incentives to complete crime-reducing programs and earn a reduced sentence.
The measure also expands the eligibility criteria for the commonwealth’s successful intermediate punishment program, which combines incarceration and intensive drug and alcohol treatment for non-violent drug and alcohol dependent offenders.
Generally, eligible offenders in the “recidivism risk reduction incentive” are those who have not shown a history of violent behavior; have not been subject to a sentence that includes an enhancement for the use of a deadly weapon; has not committed a personal injury crime; or has not committed a sex crime or certain drug crimes with a deadly weapon.
House Bill 5 amends the Prisoner Transfer Law to provide for the temporary transfer of inmates. The bill provides that when a state inmate must be relocated to attend a judicial proceeding, the Department of Corrections shall transfer the inmate to the nearest state correctional institution.
House Bill 6 amends the Parole Act by changing the duties of the Board of Probation and Parole as is necessary for it to cooperate with the Pennsylvania Sentencing Commission in the execution of its new duties under House Bill 4.
House Bill 7 provides for the compassionate release of prisoners who are terminally ill. Upon a showing of clear and convincing evidence, a prisoner may be relocated to a hospital, long-term care facility or hospice provided that the medical needs of the prisoner warrant the transfer, and that the prisoner remains under electronic monitoring by the Department of Corrections. When petition is made for such a transfer, crime victims who are entitled to notice under the Crime Victims Act will be alerted.
Governor Rendell also signed the following bills into law:
Senate Bill 180 provides that the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs shall have the power to arrange for burials of veterans at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, in addition to at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, as is provided under current law.
The bill also extends coverage under a parent’s ancillary service plan for students who would otherwise be covered under the plan but are called to active duty. Coverage would resume when the soldier/student resumes his or her education.
Senate Bill 1103 allows for the transfer of land from PennDOT to the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority for use as the Chinatown Community Center.
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