Governor Wolf has just ordered the Pennsylvania State Correctional system to start releasing “nonviolent” state correctional inmates to house arrest who are within 9 months of their minimum eligibility for parole. This is a huge development as Pennsylvania’s state sentences require a minimum parole date and a maximum date such as 10-20 years. This means a prisoner can now be released 9 months before that 10 year mark, rather than waiting to see the parole board and then eventually be released at some point between 10 and 20 years. Is Coronavirus a sufficient concern to justify this? Is there any justification for keeping inmates inside the “petri dishes” of correctional institutions under present conditions? We think there are arguments on both sides and would love to hear your thoughts below.
Steven F. Fairlie is a Philadelphia Magazine SuperLawyer, Chair of the Montgomery County
Criminal Defense Committee, and AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
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1 comment:
Mr. Fairlie, thank you for bringing this up for debate. From a thirty-five plus year veteran in the criminal justice system, I don’t see the argument for releasing inmates prior to their release dates. COVID-19 is an excuse, not a justification, for those who want to open the freedom gates. Inmates have earned their sentences and should be released only upon their completion. I believe that politics has no place in this public pandemic. Those who would release inmates back into the communities that have been aggrieved by them, is dangerous. Just as legalizing marijuana and prison reform would be dangerous. These same politicians would also advocate for those. I humbly submit that emotionally charged politicians should give way to those who base their decisions on common sense and reason. I believe that the trust and confidence of the communities should be paramount in the roles of these elected officials. Releasing inmates based on the excuse of the pandemic is counter to that. Thank you. Stay Healthy.
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