Pennsylvania

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

FAMM praises Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf for using reprieve power in response to COVID-19 Crisis

HARRISBURG – FAMM Director of State Policy for Pennsylvania Celeste Trusty praised Gov. Tom Wolf today for announcing he’d be using his constitutional reprieve power to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among people who live and work in Pennsylvania’s state prisons.

Previously, FAMM sent a letter to Gov. Wolf calling on him to use this power, and had urged family members to do the same through its website.

“Gov. Wolf is taking necessary action that’s going to save lives in Pennsylvania,” Trusty said. “We’re so glad to see cooperation between the governor’s office and the Department of Corrections to protect people in Pennsylvania’s prisons and communities.”

The Centers for Disease Control has issued interim guidance on managing COVID-19 in correctional facilities, and reducing the prison population will help the Department of Corrections meet these guidelines.

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 in 6 states 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.