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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 11, 2017 09:29 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Todd Stephens |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Requiring Criminals to Pay Restitution to Crime Victims |
| I am re-introducing legislation (HB 1089 passed the House last session 152-38) to increase the amount of restitution crime victims receive from the criminals that financially affected them. In 2011, The Restitution in Pennsylvania Task Force convened to study and develop recommendations for improving the restitution process in Pennsylvania. The Task Force brought together key stakeholders, agencies and organizations from across all stages of victim restitution work to conduct a thorough review of restitution process, identify gaps and develop recommendations to maximize the effectiveness of the criminal system in collecting restitution for victims. In February 2013, the Task Force issued its final report including 47 recommendations for reforms. This bill will establish a mandated minimum percentage for deductions from deposits made to inmate personal accounts in county and state correctional facilities. Current law authorizes, but does not require, prison officials to deduct money from inmate accounts to satisfy a prisoners’ court-ordered restitution. As a consequence, county and state prison inmates spend money from their inmate accounts at the prison commissary on such luxuries as televisions and snack food, while ignoring their obligation to compensate their victims. (Task Force Recommendations #9 and #37.) It’s time we ensured victims were made whole for the crimes committed against them. Please join me by cosponsoring this legislation. Prior co-sponsors: STEPHENS, TAYLOR, BAKER, DAVIS, MILLARD, D. COSTA, LAWRENCE, A. HARRIS, MULLERY, DeLUCA, MOUL, VEREB, MURT, COHEN, READSHAW, M. K. KELLER, MILNE, GILLEN, GABLER, JOZWIAK, COX, KORTZ, MICCARELLI, DUSH and DAWKINS |
Introduced as HB285