Monthly Archives: November 2016
Benefits of Treatment Over Punishment When It Comes to Drug Crimes
Throughout Pennsylvania and across the country, increasing numbers of public officials are coming to the realization that prioritizing treatment over incarceration for drug offenders could save taxpayers billions of dollars in the long term. And, these efforts would likely benefit communities and actually improve public safety. According to the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, these cost […]
Quad State Legislative Conference Focuses on Justice Reform
Criminal justice reform was one of the primary areas of focus at the recent Quad-State Legislative Conference, which featured state legislators from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The annual conference, which took place in August, featured discussions on policy issues important to each state — and finding solutions to crime was determined to be […]
Gov. Wolf Aims to Decriminalize Possession of Small Amounts of Marijuana
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has joined an increasing number of public officials who support the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana. During an interview on PBS affiliate WITF, Gov. Wolf said that arrests for possession of small amounts of the drug are “clogging up our prisons…and it’s hurting our economy.” He went on to say […]
State Records Office Seeks Access to Crime Scene Videos
The Pennsylvania Office of Open Records is asking a judge to allow the agency access to video footage from state police, which is fighting the measure. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, state police officials believe it is within their legal right to withhold the videos from agencies such as the Office of Open Records, an […]