PRINTER'S NO. 4130
No. 799 Session of 2004
INTRODUCED BY BISHOP, LEACH, TIGUE, WATERS, WALKO, KIRKLAND,
JOSEPHS, LAUGHLIN, CRUZ, JAMES, BEBKO-JONES, WASHINGTON,
READSHAW, WHEATLEY, WILLIAMS, THOMAS, D. EVANS, HENNESSEY AND
SURRA, JUNE 22, 2004
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, JUNE 22, 2004
A RESOLUTION
1 Establishing a special committee to study conditions in State
2 prisons.
3 WHEREAS, There have been reports of abuse of inmates in State
4 prisons; and
5 WHEREAS, A large proportion of the prison population in this
6 Commonwealth is from Philadelphia; and
7 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives requires information on
8 conditions in State prisons; therefore be it
9 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives establish a
10 special committee to study conditions in State prisons; and be
11 it further
12 RESOLVED, That the committee consist of 11 members, six
13 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives
14 and five members appointed by the Minority Leader of the House
15 of Representatives; and be it further
16 RESOLVED, That at least five members of the committee be
17 representatives from Philadelphia; and be it further
1 RESOLVED, That the committee be authorized to hold hearings,
2 take testimony and make its investigations at such places as it
3 deems necessary in this Commonwealth; and be it further
4 RESOLVED, That the committee be authorized to issue subpoenas
5 under the hand and seal of its chairman commanding any person to
6 appear before the committee and to answer questions touching
7 matters properly being inquired into by the committee and to
8 produce records and documents as the committee deems necessary;
9 and be it further
10 RESOLVED, That subpoenas be susceptible to service upon any
11 person and have the same effect as subpoenas issued out of the
12 courts of this Commonwealth and that any person that willfully
13 neglects or refuses to testify before the committee or to
14 produce records or documents be subject to the penalties
15 provided by the laws of this Commonwealth in such case; and be
16 it further
17 RESOLVED, That each member of the committee have power to
18 administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses appearing before
19 the committee; and be it further
20 RESOLVED, That the committee report to the House of
21 Representatives on its activities, findings and recommendations
22 by September 27, 2004; and be it further
23 RESOLVED, That the expenses incurred by the committee in
24 carrying out its responsibilities, including per diem and travel
25 expenses incurred by members and regular staff, stenographic
26 charges and other incidental expenses, be paid from appropriate
27 accounts under the control of the Chief Clerk and be in addition
28 to any other amount authorized for expenses for contractors,
29 consultants and staff; and be it further
30 RESOLVED, That the chairman make a monthly report of all
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1 expenses incurred by the committee to each member of the
2 committee and to the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader;
3 and be it further
4 RESOLVED, That, within 30 calendar days after the committee
5 has made its report or the mandate of the committee has expired,
6 the chairman cause a record of all expenses incurred by the
7 committee or its members which are payable at Commonwealth
8 expense to be filed with the Chief Clerk.
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