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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Brendan F. Boyle |
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Committee approves Boyle's repeat violent offender legislation
HARRISBURG, June 23 – The state House Judiciary Committee today approved legislation proposed by Rep. Brendan F. Boyle, D-Phila./Montgomery, that would increase prison sentences and end early parole for repeat violent criminals in Pennsylvania.
"While this proposal was inspired by several police killings in Philadelphia, it has the potential to save the lives of innocent bystanders across Pennsylvania," Boyle said.
The committee voted in favor of Boyle's legislation (H.B. 1567), which would increase prison sentences for second- and third-strike offenses for repeat violent offenders and eliminate the possibility of early parole.
The legislation would also require close monitoring and supervision of repeat violent offender inmates by the parole board for 15 to 20 years after they leave prison. Nearly half of the states and the federal government have already eliminated or limited parole for certain violent criminals.
Boyle pointed to the findings of a newly released performance audit of the state Board of Probation and Parole. The auditor general's audit found an inadequate level of supervision and tracking of parolees, which Boyle said underscored the need to keep the most violent offenders off the streets.
Boyle said the legislation's timeliness was underscored by a woman and three young children killed this month in Philadelphia after being struck by an out-of-control car driven by a young man fleeing a robbery. The man had a lengthy criminal record, including several charges of simple and aggravated assault.
House Bill 1567's supporters include House Judiciary Committee Chairman Tom Caltagirone, D-Berks; Gov. Rendell's administration; former Pittsburgh chief of police, state Rep. Dom Costa, D-Allegheny; state Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-Delaware; and Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police President John McNesby. Boyle developed his proposal with the support of Rendell, Caltagirone, Lentz and other bipartisan stakeholders over the past several months.
House Bill 1567 awaits consideration by the full House.
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