The petition argues that drastically reducing jail
populations to allow jails the space to follow CDC-recommended safe social
distancing and hygiene practices is the only way to prevent widespread contagion,
which will inevitably infect people who are incarcerated, jail staff, and the
surrounding communities.
The emergency request asks the Supreme Court to order every
Court of Common Pleas president judge to limit new jail admissions to the most
serious offenses and order the presumptive release of everyone already held on
cash bail or for technical and minor-offense probation violations; in a work
release program; who are medically vulnerable because they are older or have
certain serious health conditions; or who are within three months of completing
their minimum sentence.
The petition was filed on behalf of the Pennsylvania Prison
Society and five people detained in jails around the commonwealth. It is joined
by the Public Defender Association.
To read the Petition CLICK HERE
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