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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2009
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Orie Legislation on Problem Solving Courts
Unanimously Adopted by the Senate
The Senate today
unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Senator Jane C. Orie, Majority
Whip (R-Allegheny) which seeks to improve public safety while at the same time
providing more extensive supervision of non-violent offenders.
Problem solving courts, which include mental health
courts and drug courts, divert non-violent offenders from more costly jail cells
and encourage rehabilitation through extensive supervision.
"As a former prosecutor and a strong advocate for
improving our drug rehabilitation and mental health systems, I believe this
legislation is crucial to helping those in need and to improving public safety,"
Orie said. "These courts will reduce prison overcrowding and improve
cooperation between our criminal justice system and drug and alcohol and mental
health systems."
Orie said that specialized problem solving courts
are being used across the nation to save money and help offenders who have
particular issues including drug addiction and mental health issues. Allegheny
County has been recognized for the problem solving courts they have established,
including the recent creation of a veterans' court.
Previously this year Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Justice Seamus P. McCaffery addressed the Senate Judiciary Committee in support
of Senate Bill 383 and is a strong supporter of problem-solving courts.
Senate Bill 383 will statutorily authorize the
implementation of problem solving courts in the Commonwealth," Orie said. "This
is not mandatory, but rather necessary to ensure that our state obtains
financial assistance in creating these courts."
"This concept is a win-win proposition for our
criminal justice system and for those individuals who need assistance," Orie
said. "They will make our communities safer, and they will save tax dollars."
Orie said the average cost of building a new prison in Pennsylvania is $200
million and the cost of housing a prisoner can run as much as $30,000 a year.
According to the Department of Justice -- approximately 20 percent of the
Pennsylvania prison population suffers from mental illness.
"So in many cases, we are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to
incarcerate mentally ill patients or those with addictions who would benefit far
more from treatment, medication and counseling," Orie said. "That's why
this legislation is so critical. As research has shown, problem solving
courts that can specialize in these areas can ensure that offenders receive the
most appropriate sentencing, supervision, rehabilitation and treatment."
Contact:
Michael Sarfert
(717) 787-6538
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