The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (DOC) is requesting a budget of $300 million for the next fiscal year, despite a decrease in the state's prison population and the recent closure of two state facilities. This request exceeds Governor Josh Shapiro's proposed budget, which allocated an additional $200 million for the department.
The DOC's request comes amid ongoing debates about the effectiveness of probation and parole systems in the United States. A report by Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) suggests that these systems, rather than serving as alternatives to incarceration, often lead to a cycle of re-incarceration, particularly for Black and brown individuals. The report also highlights the lack of resources and services, unmet health needs, and racial bias as root causes of these violations.
The DOC's budget request and the ongoing debates about the effectiveness of the probation and parole systems underscore the complexities of criminal justice reform and the challenges of balancing public safety with the need to address systemic issues within the system.