Pennsylvania

For Media Inquiries:
Tripp Laino, 202-999-4273
tlaino@famm.org

FAMM praises Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf for including medical parole in budget proposal

HARRISBURG – FAMM Pennsylvania State Policy Director Celeste Trusty released the following statement following Governor Tom Wolf’s budget proposal, which included a provision for medical parole.

“The tragic loss of nearly 100 of our incarcerated community members and four correctional staff to COVID-19 has highlighted the overwhelming need in Pennsylvania for more avenues to reduce our aging and sick prison population,” Trusty said. “We are thrilled to see Gov. Wolf include this provision in his budget, as it’s exceedingly expensive to keep elderly and sick people in prison. The continued incarceration of this population, many of whom have already served decades behind bars, is expensive and unnecessary for justice to be served.”

For nearly three decades, FAMM has united the voices of affected families, the formerly incarcerated, and a range of stakeholders and advocates to fight for a more fair and effective justice system. FAMM’s focus on ending a one-size-fits-all punishment structure has led to reforms to sentencing and prison policies at the state and federal level and is paving the way to programs that support rehabilitation for the 94% of all prisoners who will return to our neighborhoods one day.

###

FAMM is a national nonpartisan advocacy organization that promotes fair and effective criminal justice policies that safeguard taxpayer dollars and keep our communities safe. Founded in 1991, FAMM is helping transform America’s criminal justice system by uniting the voices of impacted families and individuals and elevating the issues all across the country.