HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 29 PA-Gov-parole-system
Urges Legislature to Mandate 20-Year Sentence for Assaults on Officers with Firearms
HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today called on the Department of Corrections to suspend the release of all offenders who have been recommended for parole pending the findings of a review by Dr. John Goldkamp, chair of Temple University's Department of Criminal Justice.
In a letter sent today, Governor Rendell requested that Goldkamp conduct an independent review of the processes by which the Department of Corrections prepares violent offenders for release, the Board of Probation and Parole determines whether to parole a violent offender, and how both entities supervise parolees after release.
"Last week, Philadelphia Police Officer Patrick McDonald was tragically murdered by a paroled offender, but it is even more tragic that this was the second instance within the last four months of a parolee shooting a Philadelphia police officer," wrote Governor Rendell, referring to the shooting of Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski. "Heartbreaking losses such as these have shed light on the need to thoroughly review the process by which Pennsylvania paroles violent offenders. Therefore, I am asking you to review the way in which these two cases were managed by the Department of Corrections and the Board of Probation and Parole in order to minimize the likelihood that these kinds of scenarios will be repeated."
Goldkamp's review will begin immediately and the Governor added that he has directed the department and the board to cooperate fully with the review.
Governor Rendell requested that the review be thorough, complete and expedited to the fullest extent possible. If the review yields any measures that demand prompt action, the Governor requested that Goldkamp present those recommendations to him immediately.
The Board of Probation and Parole may continue to conduct parole hearings and case reviews, but not grant parole.
Dr. Goldkamp's work has focused on criminal justice and innovation in the courts. He has also researched issues of release and detention thoroughly.
In a separate letter to the Senate, Governor Rendell said assaults on law enforcement officers have increased and, therefore, the state needs to act now by implementing more stringent penalties--especially when the assault includes the use of a firearm against an officer.
The Governor cited a statistic that showed the number of assaults of law enforcement officers with firearms in Pennsylvania increased by 82 percent between 2002 and 2007. Nationally, that number is far less--only 13 percent.
"I believe that we can decrease the number of these attacks by guaranteeing that criminals who fire upon police officers will be sentenced to at least 20 years behind bars," said Governor Rendell. "Our laws already provide for the death penalty or life imprisonment for those who shoot and kill a police officer. However, we need more stringent penalties on the books for those who shoot at police officers and, fortunately, do not end up killing them. In these cases we need clear, harsh, and mandatory penalties."
The Governor called on the Senate in a letter to amend a provision into House Bill 1845 requiring that any person found guilty of assaulting a police officer with a firearm be sentenced to a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison.
House Bill 1845, currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee, may receive consideration before the Senate adjourns.
"I urge the Senate to move this bill -- with this amendment -- before the end of this legislative session," said the Governor. "Requiring judges to impose tough mandatory sentences on those criminals who shoot at our police officers is the least we can do."
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The two letters sent by Governor Rendell today are included below:
September 29, 2008
Professor John S. Goldkamp, Chair
Temple University
Department of Criminal Justice
Gladfelter Hall
1115 W. Berks Street
5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Dear Professor Goldkamp:
Last week, Philadelphia Police Officer Patrick McDonald was murdered by a paroled offender. Even more tragic is the fact that this was the second instance within the last four months of a parolee shooting a Philadelphia police officer; in May of this year an offender on parole for robbery shot and killed Philadelphia Police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski.
Heartbreaking losses such as these have shed light on the need to thoroughly review the process by which Pennsylvania paroles violent offenders. Therefore, I am asking you to review the way in which these two cases were managed by the Department of Corrections and the Board of Probation and Parole in order to minimize the likelihood that these kinds of scenarios will be repeated. I have directed the Department of Corrections and the Board of Probation and Parole to cooperate fully with your review.
Please provide me with any and all recommendations that may improve the safety of citizens throughout the Commonwealth. Ultimately, we all understand it was the action of individual criminals that caused these deaths, however I need to know that we are doing everything we can to reduce the possibility of future reoccurrences.
While a thorough and complete review is critical, I would ask that you expedite your review to the fullest extent. Furthermore, should you arrive at any critical conclusions demanding quick action I would ask that you direct those concerns to my office immediately through Deputy Chief of Staff K. Scott Roy.
Sincerely,
Edward G. Rendell
Governor
Cc:Jeffrey Beard, Secretary
Catherine McVey, Chairman
K. Scott Roy, Deputy Chief of Staff
September 29, 2008
Dear Members of the Senate of Pennsylvania:
We were all stunned and saddened by the senseless and tragic murder of Philadelphia Police Officer Patrick McDonald and the shooting of his colleague, Officer Richard Bowes, by a career criminal last week. As we assess what happened, one thing is clear: we need tougher laws to make sure that those who fire upon our law enforcement officers will be put in prison for at least twenty years--without the possibility of parole or early release.
House Bill 1845, currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee, may receive consideration before the Senate adjourns. Should this occur, I am asking the Senate to pass an amendment to HB 1845 providing for the mandatory sentencing of those who fire upon our police officers. This proposed language can be found in Senate Bill 1237 (Stack) and House Bill 2060 (O'Brien, D). It is in the interest of protecting our law enforcement officers to pass this legislation before the end of this session. I ask you to support Senator Stack in his attempt to amend HB 1845.
As you know, we have witnessed an alarming increase in brazen attacks on law enforcement officers. Between 2002 and 2007, the number of assaults with firearms on law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania increased by 82%, whereas the national increase was far less--13%.
I believe that we can decrease the number of these attacks by guaranteeing that criminals who fire upon police officers will be sentenced to at least twenty years behind bars. Our laws already provide for the death penalty or life imprisonment for those who shoot and kill a police officer. However, we need more stringent penalties on the books for those who shoot at police officers and, fortunately, do not end up killing them. In these cases we need clear, harsh, and mandatory penalties.
I urge the Senate to move this bill--with this amendment--before the end of this legislative session. Requiring judges to impose tough mandatory sentences on those criminals who shoot at our police officers is the least we can do.
Sincerely,
Edward G. Rendell
Governor
CONTACT:
Chuck Ardo
717-783-1116
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
