HARRISBURG –Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R-46), Sen. Jay Costa (D-43), Rep. Summer Lee (D-34) and Rep. Sara Innamorato (D-21), along with formerly incarcerated leaders, will be speaking to the press in support of Senate Bill 835 on Friday, Nov. 12, at 11:30 a.m. on the front steps of the Pittsburgh City County Building, 414 Grant St., Pittsburgh.
The bipartisan bill would offer a pathway to freedom for Pennsylvania’s more than 10,000 geriatric incarcerated individuals. Elderly populations are the most expensive to house and the least likely to re-offend. This bill would provide parole opportunities for aging people who have already served decades and are in failing health inside the state’s prisons.
Senate Bill 835, sponsored by Sen. Sharif Street (D-3) and supported by Sen. Bartolotta, would allow the possibility of parole for elderly and chronically ill people currently incarcerated for lengthy or life sentences. Any person 55+ years of age who has served 25 years or half their sentence, whichever comes first, would be eligible for parole. The bill would also allow people with a chronic medical condition, who continue to face deadly risks and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, a chance at parole.
CONTACT: Colleen Greer, 717-787-1463