Criminal Justice Reform
One act of love can reform a system failing juvenile offenders
Originally published in The Philadelphia Inquirer Aqilah David’s journey began with an act of love. Living alone with her 10-year-old brother and 6-year-old sister — partially due to adults…
Read More: One act of love can reform a system failing juvenile offendersPennsylvania’s Justice Reinvestment Initiatives of 2012 and 2019 successfully reduced the state’s prison population while maintaining community safety. But our work is far from over. With a state recidivism rate of 41 percent, now is the time for reforms that promote reintegration into society and enable the criminal justice system to focus its resources where it counts. Pennsylvania can continue to lead the nation in powerful criminal justice reforms that preserve public safety, save taxpayer resources, and promote true rehabilitation.
Criminal Justice Reform
The key to Cherelle Parker’s success? Rejecting the Democrats’ progressive wing.
Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer Black voters, especially those living in low-income neighborhoods, propelled Cherelle Parker to victory in the Democratic primary for mayor of…
Media Hit
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Cash bail costs victims the most
Originally published at The Philadelphia Inquirer My friend recently shared a story with me about growing up in an abusive home. He requested I keep his name and personal…
Media Hit
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Keeping kids in the community improves public safety
Originally published at City & State Pennsylvania Reforming the juvenile justice system is personal for Philadelphia native Jon Kelly. “I cycled through several youth detention centers,”…
Media Hit
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Juvenile Justice Reform
Key Points The Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice Task Force (Task Force) found most youth entering the juvenile justice system committed low-level offenses and are “low risk to reoffend.”[1]Studies…
Backgrounder
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Why Pennsylvania Needs Probation Reform
Pennsylvania has an overburdened probation system that delivers substandard results. The commonwealth’s recidivism rate is 41 percent—one of the highest in the nation.
Backgrounder
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Op-Ed: The First Step Act Is A Giant Leap Toward Meaningful, Bipartisan Prison Reform
Criminal justice reform is not about being softer on crime. It’s about a smarter approach to our justice system and our prisons — focusing resources on protecting public safety.
Commentary
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Probation Reform Proposals Prioritize Public Safety and Cost Savings
The next step toward smart justice? Probation reform to reduce caseloads, prevent reoffending, produce savings, and break down unnecessary roadblocks to success.
Memo
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Lawmakers Move Two Key Criminal Justice Reforms
Pennsylvania General lawmakers moved two key criminal justice reform bills aimed at improving Pennsylvania’s onerous probation system and limiting the excessive burdens of a criminal record.
Memo
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Legislation Moves to Reform Licensing Laws for Citizens with Criminal Records
With a unanimous committee vote, the state House has opened the door to prosperity for 3 million Pennsylvanians. This week, the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee passed legislation helping incarcerated citizens…
Media
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Pa. Tackles Two New Law Enforcement Reforms
Pennsylvanians are voicing their concern on policing reform. Encouragingly, lawmakers are listening to constituents and pursuing meaningful, balanced policing reform.
Commentary
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Ensure Prisoner Release is Reasonable and Safe During COVID-19
April 10, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa. — Today, Governor Wolf announced that his administration will be releasing qualified state prisoners under the Temporary Program to Reprieve Sentences of Incarceration Program. The Commonwealth Foundation…
Press Release
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How Pa. Can Keep Prisons and Communities Safe During Coronavirus
Pennsylvania’s prisons and jails are particularly vulnerable to the quick spread of COVID-19. Here are several recommendations for mitigating the risk in our corrections system while protecting public safety. …
Fact Sheet
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Pa. Prison Population Plummets by Most in History — Again
January 21, 2020, Harrisburg, Pa.—Pennsylvania’s prison population dropped by 1,495 individuals in 2019, according to new Department of Corrections numbers—the sharpest decline ever recorded. The number of incarcerated Pennsylvanians…
Press Release
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CF’s 2020 Vision
The Commonwealth Foundation’s mission sounds pretty simple: transform free-market ideas into public policies so all Pennsylvanians can flourish. Accomplishing that mission—with a divided government, powerful special interests, and a diverse…
Media
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Crime Declines as Pa. Passes Criminal Justice Reforms
Responsible, smart reforms are paying dividends in Pennsylvania’s correction system—and recently passed reforms aim to build upon this success. The state Department of Corrections released a statement and…
Media
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Pa. Leading Nation on Smart Justice Reform
December 18, 2019, Harrisburg, Pa. – Today, the Pa. Legislature passed two bills that firmly establish Pennsylvania as a national leader on criminal justice reform. Senate Bills 500 and…
Press Release
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Pa. One Step Closer to Fairer Corrections System, Safer Communities with Bipartisan Justice Reforms
December 9, 2019, Harrisburg, Pa. – Today, the House Judiciary Committee took an important step toward making Pennsylvania’s corrections system more efficient, more cost-effective, and better equipped to protect public…
Press Release
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Pa. Senate Passes Legislation Removing Employment Barriers
Individuals like Ericka Miller and Amanda Spillane are one step closer to having a fair opportunity to pursue success and live their American dream. On Thursday, the state Senate…
Media
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Rallying for Probation Reform
Earlier this week, hundreds of activists gathered in the capitol in support of probation reform. Here’s what Pennsylvanians impacted by the probation system have to say: “I couldn’t…
Media
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School to Prison Pipeline? Here’s the Escape Valve
Anthony Samuels is “the only male in my family that doesn’t have a record.” Rather, Anthony is a college graduate and a business owner. At an age when many…
Media
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School Choice on Behalf of Pa.’s Poorest Should Be a Bipartisan Issue
In Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and throughout the country, Republicans and Democrats have come together to pass smart criminal justice reforms that help people achieve independence and prosperity…
Media
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