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The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing will soon establish guidelines for state intermediate punishment, allowing eligible offenders to undergo drug rehabilitation and other alternative treatment options.
Senator Shirley M. Kitchen (D-Philadelphia) As a longtime advocate for the rights of inmates and ex-offenders seeking rehabilitation, I co-sponsored legislation (SB217) establishing intermediate punishment guidelines. The bill passed the General Assembly and was signed into law as Act 112 of 2004 by Gov. Ed Rendell during the final days of the two-year legislative session. When we give non-violent drug offenders the tools to become "clean" while they are still in prison, they will be less likely to succumb to addiction when they're released. Under the new law, the Commission on Sentencing will determine whether to commit a defendant for evaluation and whether to sentence an eligible offender to state intermediate punishment. In conjunction, the Department of Corrections will establish a statewide Drug Offender Treatment Program as one form of intermediate punishment. The program will address the individually assessed drug and alcohol abuse and addiction needs of participants, as well as other issues essential to a successful reentry into the outside world. Eligible defendants will be sentenced to probation with a commitment to undergo 24 months of treatment in several venues, including time in a State correctional institution, a community-based therapeutic facility, an outpatient addiction treatment facility and, finally, in supervised reintegration into the community. The program will not be open to defendants convicted or awaiting sentence for: crimes involving the use of a deadly weapon; personal injury crimes; or incest, open lewdness, sexual abuse of children, unlawful contact with a minor, sexual exploitation of children or Internet child pornography. The Drug Offender Treatment Program is anticipated to save the Department of Corrections approximately $28,000 for each inmate receiving an alternative sentence. The Department expects 400 program participants in the first full year of the program. The program will definitely save on prison costs, but it will also save something much more precious: the lives of ex-offenders and their families. On a regular basis, I also sponsor a series of "Rehabilitation Behind Bars" seminars. These gatherings of Philadelphia leaders and residents have sparked discussion and positive action on behalf of this often overlooked part of the community. In addition, I was instrumental in gaining Senate support for Act 44 of 2003 (HB44). This new law allows Pennsylvania to provide public assistance to ex-drug offenders who undergo rehabilitation and meet all requirements of Pennsylvania's "RESET" program (Road to Economic Self-Sufficiency through Employment and Training). CapNews Guest Speaker: Archives |
