Session: 2023-2024
ACLU-PA Position: Supports
SB 135 (PN 245) would, in most cases, abolish death by incarceration by eliminating the ability to sentence someone to life without the possibility of parole, offering second chances to some of the more than 5,000 people who are serving life without parole in Pennsylvania. Specifically, SB 135 would extend parole eligibility according to the following criteria:
- Anyone with a first-degree conviction (adult or juvenile over 15) would be parole eligible after 35 years.
- Anyone with a second-degree conviction (adult or juvenile over 15) would be parole eligible after 25 years.
- Juveniles would be parole eligible for first-degree convictions after 25 years, or after 20 years for second-degree convictions.
- Anyone previously convicted of two crimes of violence would be sentenced to a minimum of 20 years and up to life with the possibility of parole.
- People convicted of first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer would not eligible for parole under this bill.
Additionally, SB 135 would authorize the Parole Board to grant parole to those serving life sentences for first- or second-degree murder and would create the Life with Parole Reinvestment Fund to reinvest savings from reducing the prison population into victim services, reentry programs, and parole supervision.
Check the bill's status here.