Signed by Governor Ed Rendell

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands prerelease options for inmates with minimum sentences.

Highlights:

-Authorizes inmates who are within 18 months of completing their minimum sentences, when they are committed to the supervision of the department, to move to a prerelease center, provided the inmate has no outstanding detainers (Sec. 1). -Requires that a public hearing be held when an inmate convicted of an offense under the Pennsylvania Code on Murder and Aggravating and Mitigating Circumstances is released to the group-based home provider, according to the following rules (Sec. 1):

-The hearing must take place within 20 miles of the group-based home provider; -The board must explain the operation of the group-based home provider and allow public comments; -The board must publish a newspaper advertisement with information about the hearing on at least 2 different dates prior to the hearing.

-Authorizes the board to release on parole those inmates who are near the expiration of their minimum sentences but not on parole due to their inability to access and complete prescribed programming within the correctional institution, provided that the inmates complete the prescribed programming while on parole (Sec. 2). -Specifies that the above parole authorization will not apply to inmates serving sentences for violent crimes or crimes requiring registration (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text