May 2017 Philadelphia Chapter of Pax Christi U.S.A.
April 22, 2017, Graterford
Joe Betz, PhD, and I attended the Conference sponsored by the Graterford Chapter of the Gray Panthers in association with elderly inmate citizens, at Graterford. We received a very informative packet – email CPF if you would like to receive a copy.
The following excerpts taken from the Conference invitation letter J. Bradley (bradleycpf@gmail.com)
“…The goal of the daylong conference is to raise awareness and concern with the extraordinarily unfair conditions to which our again incarcerated prisoners face and the economic challenges the aging prisoner population presents to the budget of the Commonwealth of PA.
We are asking all stakeholders to examine our proposed pilot project which we call Aging Out Resolution. We suggest this not only to save the Commonwealth $5000,000. of the $2,500.000. budgeted for the D.O.C. but also to validate our belief that Life Without Parole is inhumane and cruel and unusual punishment giving the older lifers no opportunity to demonstrate their rehabilitation and growth as human beings. We emphasize the need to demonstrate both the economic and social significance of the Aging Out Resolution. …
The goal of incarceration is not retribution but to rehabilitate our incarcerated so they can return to society as productive members of their communities. It makes no sense to lock up an individual and throw away the key. We must understand that Life Without Parole is not an alternative to the death penalty; it is in fact the death penalty which occurs after decades of punishment in prison. The only opportunity for release from prison is in a body bag. People can change; Alexander Pope said, “to err is human to for-give divine’.
For those who have demonstrated their remorse, their progress, and their rehabilitation it is time to forgive and through this program allow them to demonstrate their rehabilitation. Recidivism rates for aged prisoners is less than 1% and they have no chance for release while the current system paroles the younger offenders and their recidivism rate is in excess of 60%; it is time to take another look at our sentencing guidelines and treatment of our seniors… WE NEED YOUR HELP!”
Felony Murder Overview - Justia: The felony murder rule is a rule that allows a defendant to be charged with first-
degree murder for a killing that occurs during a dangerous felony, even if the defendant is not the killer... The felony murder rule is an exception to the normal rules of homicide…. https://www.justia.com/criminal/offenses/homicide/felony-murder/
PA Senate Bill 293 – In February 2017 Senator Leach introduced: “legislation to eliminate murder of the second degree from Pennsylvania law. Also known as the "Felony Murder" doctrine, a murder of the second degree occurs when a criminal homicide is committed while an offender is engaged as a principal or an accomplice in the perpetration of a felony. Sen. Daylin Leach contact the members of the Judiciary committee – urge them to support Sen. Leach’s - PA Senate Bill 293 -- more info: Joh Tew, jtew@p[asenate.com 610-768-4200, Sen Leach’s Legislative Director
Catholic Peace Fellowship May 2017
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