Thursday, April 14th: The Future of Second Chance Bills in Pennsylvania
When groups like Amistad Law Project, Abolitionist Law Center and Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration were founded in Pennsylvania there wasn’t a single bill in the state legislature that proposed any mechanism for release for incarcerated people who had worked to redeem themselves. Today there are numerous legislative proposals: commutation reform, parole for lifers, geriatric parole, medical parole and even a bill that would take into account family hardships, such as the death of family member, as a condition for early release. The proliferation of numerous second chance bills is a measure of the momentum the movement has been able to build.
April is second chance month and we’re joining together with our allies at Straight Ahead, Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration and FAMM for an event where people can learn more about the state of second chance legislation. We’ll be joined by Senators Street and Bartolotta, and Representatives Kinsey, Kail and Jones. Each one of these state legislators are sponsoring bills either to end Death by Incarceration or to win geriatric or medical Parole for our elders inside.
This will be an opportunity to hear from these bill sponsors directly and ask them questions concerning the legislation and also an opportunity for people in the movement to highlight what it’s going to take in order to win a pathway home for people who’ve turned around their lives. Register here and join us for this vital conversation.
