I spent a whole lot of 2019 talking with people on probation in Pennsylvania, a system that would've made Kafka say, "Whoa, guys, that's messed up."
In case you missed it, here's what you need to know. In a thread. 1/
In case you missed it, here's what you need to know. In a thread. 1/
Crime has been falling for decades. Incarceration has quintupled. And the number on probation or parole has grown five times larger, to 290,000. In Philly, 1 in 14 black adult residents is under supervision. 2/
inquirer.com/news/inq/proba…
inquirer.com/news/inq/proba…
One reason is lawmakers have failed to set rules about how long people can be on probation or what judges can do when they violate. People are in state prison right now, for as long as 7 years, for failing drug tests while on probation for retail theft. 3/ inquirer.com/news/inq/proba…
Others have probation of 10 or 20 years, limiting job opportunities, even making them homeless -- like the young woman who had to move out of her mother's house because her mom was also on probation -- and keeping them in fear of reincarceration. 4/ inquirer.com/news/inq/proba…
It's a system that often punishes people in addiction for relapsing by giving them a break (probation, drug court) then locking them up when they fail. A common phrase on dockets: "Detain on 1st positive or missed drug test" 5/ inquirer.com/news/inq/proba…
And sends people to jail or forces them into publicly funded drug treatment for using marijuana, often for medical reasons related to the deep trauma many have experienced. 6/
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inquirer.com/news/inq/proba…
Even though it's illegal to jail people for not paying money they don't have, it still happens all the time to those on probation, who are often charged thousands in court costs and supervision fees. “It’s an ongoing, systemic problem,” per the ACLU. 7/ inquirer.com/news/philadelp…
The great fear on probation is a detainer -- a hold that can keep people in jail without bail for months and in many cases will ensure a guilty plea to any new charge or alleged violation. Philly public defenders have sued, calling this system illegal. 8/ inquirer.com/news/inq/proba…
The good news is, there are many effective solutions that have been shown to safely shrink the net of surveillance that disproportionately impacts poor people of color.
But reform legislation may not make it out of Harrisburg. Here's where things stand:
inquirer.com/opinion/editor…
But reform legislation may not make it out of Harrisburg. Here's where things stand:
inquirer.com/opinion/editor…
