Corbett Wants Corrections Reforms Passed In June

Peter Jackson
Associated Press

Gov. Tom Corbett says he wants lawmakers to pass a plan to overhaul Pennsylvania’s corrections system before they break for the summer.

Corbett made his comments Wednesday during a brief appearance at a meeting of the state “justice reinvestment” working group as consultants outlined their plan that has taken months of research.

The proposal is designed to keep low-level offenders out of the prison system and instead reserve expensive state prison space for criminals convicted of the most serious crimes and serving longer terms.

The consultants from The Council of State Governments say sending fewer people to prison would save $350 million over five years — more than enough to pay for a proposal to shift more prisoners nearing parole into intensive residential programs and other changes.

Read more: http://www.centredaily.com/2012/05/23/3205571/report-corrections-changes-could.html