According to KYW Newsradio, the Pennsylvania Senate has introduced Senate 14, a bill that would, “reform the commonwealth’s probation system.”
Senate 14 shortens the length of probation at five years for felonies and three for misdemeanors. In addition to reducing the sentencing of probation for felonies and misdemeanors, the bill would also shorten probation for good behavior and “use the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing guidelines to curb judicial discretion when it comes to dealing with technical violations.”
Meek Mill who was the inspiration behind the new bill, celebrated the milestone on social media Tuesday. The rapper who has been on probation for 11 years called the announcement of the bill, “great news.”
This is great news! I’ve been on probation 11 years and sent to prison 3 times without committing crime … this will directly effect people growing up in bad environments going in and out of prison for minor mistakes “not crime” https://t.co/nFNwxMdoDR
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) January 30, 2019
State Senator Sharif Street of D-District 3 who applauded Meek’s advocacy said,
“The time he served because of technical violations greatly extended the amount of time he would have served. When we have high-profile cases that draw our attention to circumstances that should not apply to any Pennsylvanian, it’s up to us to address those circumstances.”
Meek Mill recently collaborated with Jay-Z to launch REFORM Alliance, which according to the official website, is an organization aimed to, “reduce the number of people who are unjustly under the control of the criminal justice system – starting with probation and parole.”
