Reprieve of Sentences

                   Temporary Program to Reprieve Sentences of Incarceration
     In an attempt to mitigate vulnerable inmates for protection against COVID 19 Governor Wolf has signed an emergent order on April 10, 2020 for release of about 1,800 state prisoners. Vulnerable inmates include those over 65, those with chronic medical conditions, such as, severe obesity, heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, liver disease, that would make them at higher risk for complications of COVID 19 according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 
     Reentry of prisoners will take a combined effort to provide housing, behavioral health system, treatments programs in the community, food, medication supply, transportation, and complete medical screening to ensure they are not releasing prisoners that are sick.  Because of these challenges the reentry of prisoners will be less than the 1800 amount that is eligible.
    According to Sec. Wetzel, “While on temporary reprieve, individuals will be monitored similarly to parolees and will be supervised by parole agents. Upon expiration of the order, individuals would be returned to prison to complete any remaining portion of their sentences”.
     Justice & Mercy believes that if the prisoners are able to be released and continue to do well, following the guidelines of their release, then these prisoners should not be put back in prison for the remainder of their sentence.
     **Something to think about--What is your opinion on this order?
1.https://www.governor.pa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20200410-GOV-DOC-reprieve-release-order-COVID-19.pdf
​2. https://www.cor.pa.gov/Pages/COVID-19.aspx