Pennsylvania

FAMM urges Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to use reprieve power during COVID-19 Crisis

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

FAMM urges Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to use reprieve power during COVID-19 Crisis

HARRISBURG – FAMM Director of State Policy for Pennsylvania Celeste Trusty sent a letter today to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf calling on him to use his reprieve power for sick and elderly people in prison in the wake of COVID-19 entering the state’s prisons.

“An unparalleled public health crisis calls for unparalleled executive action,” Trusty said. “It’s impossible for people in prison to practice social distancing, and these vulnerable people are at exceedingly high risk. It’s time to take action to protect them.”

Releasing elderly, chronically ill, or other low-risk people has been recommended by health professionals and corrections experts in several other states. The Centers for Disease Control consider the most vulnerable to include people over 65 years old, and people with a condition that affects their lungs, heart, kidney, immune system, or who have another serious chronic medical condition.

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 six 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.

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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.