State Budget
State lawmakers are planning a three-week hiatus from work at the Capitol as they prepare for primary election season. But first, the House takes up a package of bills designed to reform the prison system.
By Jen Rehill
WHYY News, April 7, 2008
The four-bill package tackles a number of prison-related issues - from overcrowding to drug treatment. House Democratic Majority Leader Bill DeWeese is hopeful that the measures will be adopted swiftly.
"We will be involved with the prison legislation. If things go very well it will be a two-day instead of a three-day session before we break for the election season," said DeWeese.
Whether the voting goes that fast remains to be seen.
State Attorney General Tom Corbett opposes a measure that would allow for the transfer of very sick and terminally ill inmates to medical facilities - citing security worries for other patients.
In a letter to lawmakers, he also expressed concern about a proposal fo early release of non-violent offenders.
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