by KYW's Tony Romeo
Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell on Monday night lifted a parole moratorium on nonviolent offenders.
For now, the moratorium on parole of violent offenders will remain in effect as a review of the state’s parole procedures continues.
In late September, Rendell asked Dr. John Goldkamp, chairman of the Temple University’s department of criminal justice, to review the state’s parole policy after the murder of Philadelphia police sergeant Patrick McDonald by a paroled violent offender.
The Rendell administration says Goldkamp’s review has thus far determined that the process for paroling nonviolent offenders is appropriate, and therefore the parole of nonviolent offenders will resume.
The governor says he has advised the Board of Probation and Parole that going forward, the definition of “nonviolent offender” should apply to prisoners with no history of violent crimes.
(File photo)
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