Too many people are on probation in Pennsylvania, serving terms that are too long, under conditions that are vague and counterproductive. Pennsylvania has the 6th highest population of people on community supervision in the United States, and the 9th highest population of people on probation alone. 

Too often, probation ends up being a trapdoor to incarceration. More Pennsylvanians enter state prisons for supervision violations than for new crimes. Families are separated and workplaces are disrupted when employees, sons, mothers, and fathers are locked up for minor violations like missing a meeting with their probation officer.

It is also costly: Pennsylvania spends just under $360 million a year locking up people in state prison for supervision violations.  

In 2023, after five years of tireless advocacy by our coalition and leaders from across the Commonwealth, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 838 and Governor Josh Shapiro signed the bill into law! Click here to learn more.

Senate Bill 838 will

• Safely reduce the number of people unnecessarily placed on probation
• Stabilize families and our workforce
• Lower recidivism 
• Close the probation-to-prison pipeline
• Increase public safety 
• Allow the Commonwealth to focus resources on crime prevention and community wellness

The Pennsylvania Safety Coalition will continue working together to ensure the new law is implemented quickly, so it lives up to its potential of impacting as many lives as possible. We will also work together to make our communities stronger and safer for generations to come.

Fill out this simple form to join us. All are welcome – from people directly impacted by our criminal justice system to systems actors, advocacy organizations, employers, faith leaders, and concerned neighbors.