Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Criminal Law Blogs -> The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

Criminal Law

: The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog

Overcrowding is a Symptom, Not the Sickness for Prisons in Pennsylvania

By Real Cost of Prisons Project (The Sentencing Project)

Overcrowding is a Symptom, Not the Sickness for Prisons in Pennsylvania April 23, 2010 Pennsylvania prisons are overcrowded. The state's prison population continues to increase even as the national trend shows a decline. Recidivism rates remain high despite recent measures to lower them. These are the serious symptoms of an ailing criminal and correctional system that is in need of an immediate and substantial overhaul. While there are many factors that worked together to create the prison population problems in Pennsylvania, there are some main contributors. Pennsylvania criminal law judges impose the incarceration terms, but they must follow statutory mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines. In addition, they do not have the discretion to send criminals to prison alternatives, such as drug rehabilitation facilities, halfway houses or house arrest...continue to full post

Full post as published by The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog on April 24, 2010 (boomark / email).