The Wolf Administration continues to take every possible
action – and asks all Pennsylvanians to do the same – to help stop the spread
of COVID-19. These actions, including those in the state corrections system,
will save lives, help stop the spread of the virus and avoid overwhelming our
already-burdened health care system.
“We can reduce our non-violent prison population and leave
fewer inmates at risk for contracting COVID-19 while maintaining public safety
with this program,” Gov. Wolf said. “I am pleased to direct the Department of
Corrections to begin the process to release vulnerable and non-violent inmates
at or nearing their release dates in an organized way that maintain supervision
post-release and ensures home and health care plans are in place for all
reentrants.”
The Temporary Program to Reprieve Sentences of Incarceration
Program only applies to state prison inmates who have been identified as being
non-violent and who otherwise would be eligible for release within the next 9
months or who are considered at high risk for complications of coronavirus and
are within 12 months of their release.
“Just as everyone in the community is dealing with COVID-19,
the state prison system is doing the same,” Corrections Sec. John Wetzel said.
“We must reduce our inmate population to be able to manage this virus. Without
this temporary program, we are risking the health, and potentially lives, of
employees and inmates. We can safely release individuals to the community to
reduce their vulnerability and allow the department to successfully manage
COVID-19.
“Without any current legislation, we are moving forward with
the understanding that future legislation could further advance these efforts.”
As of this morning, there are 11 COVID-19 cases at one
prison, SCI Phoenix in Montgomery County, but concern for cases spreading to
other facilities is another reason for the expedited release of eligible
inmates.
Under the temporary reprieve program, approximately 1,500 to
1,800 inmates would be eligible, although given the reentry challenges of
ensuring connection to the health care and behavioral health system, housing
and food security, the number will likely be less than the eligible pool.
Vulnerable inmates will include inmates aged 65 or older;
anyone with an autoimmune disorder; pregnant inmates; anyone with a serious,
chronic medical condition such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory
disease, bone marrow or organ transplantation, severe obesity, kidney disease,
liver disease,[and] cancer; or another medical condition that places them at
higher risk for complications of coronavirus as defined by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
The releases could begin as early as Tuesday, April 14.
Sec. Wetzel stressed that a thorough reentry component has been
developed to ensure inmates will be successful.
“While we need to release inmates to protect them and to
allow us space to mitigate the impact of the virus in our system, we also know
that we need to prepare inmates for release,” Sec. Wetzel said. “Our reentry
plans will include several days of release planning with the inmate, preparing
and connecting the inmate to treatment programs in the community, release
transportation and a complete medical screening to ensure that we are not
releasing sick inmates. We’ll also provide them with an appropriate medication
supply and connect them to medical providers in the community.”
While on temporary reprieve, individuals will be monitored
similarly to parolees and will be supervised by parole agents. Upon expiration
of the order, individuals would be returned to prison to complete any remaining
portion of their sentences.
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