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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 30, 2022 10:28 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Jay Costa |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | County Jail Review Panels |
| Please join me in co-sponsoring the following legislation. It is an unfortunate fact that there are instances where individuals committed to a county jail die while in their custody. Pennsylvania is not alone in this phenomenon. Several other states and localities have or are in the process of establishing inmate fatality review panels to improve inmate care and supervision. This year, Allegheny County has partnered with the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare to study the causes of and solutions to inmate deaths. That review, based on standards recommended by the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare, includes an administrative review of the practices of the jail, a clinical mortality review of the individual and, if the death is an apparent suicide, a psychological autopsy. My legislation will authorize counties throughout Pennsylvania to establish review panels of local experts to review the practices, procedures, supervision and care provided by county jails to the inmates served. The review panels will be authorized to review the circumstances of deaths and produce an annual report on its findings. Additionally, the panels will be authorized to make recommendations to local and state officials to improve the processes and procedures used in evaluating and supervising inmates. The review panels will also be responsible for providing non-identifying information to the Pennsylvania Department of Health for publication in a statewide database that is publicly accessible. I ask for your support of this important legislation. |