Stack Bills Would Keep Violent, Career Criminals off the Street

HARRISBURG, JUNE 25, 2009 — State Sen. Mike Stack this week introduced two parole reform bills to ensure that violent and career criminals serve more time in prison and less time on the street.

“I’ve spoken with police officers and community leaders in my district who are extremely concerned about repeat violent offenders who are given unwarranted opportunities to return to society under supervision,” Stack said. “These criminals should be behind bars for their sentence, not placed in a halfway house, where the community is at risk of their violent behavior.”

One measure, Senate Bill 902, would prohibit a repeat violent offender from being sent to a halfway house as part of parole. “Violent offender” would be defined as a criminal who has committed crimes like rape and murder.

The robbery suspect who allegedly gunned down Philadelphia Police Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski in May 2008 was a parolee who spent time in a halfway house.

“This man had a history of violent offenses and should not have been allowed to be placed in a halfway house as part of his sentence,” Stack said. “We cannot give these dangerous criminals any opportunity to continually terrorize our communities.”

Another measure, Senate Bill 903, would require a person convicted of three or more crimes to serve the maximum sentence for the crime they have been convicted of, regardless of whether the current conviction is for a violent crime.

“This legislation will protect citizens from career criminals, who have a history of violent crime that could escalate if they remain on the street,” Stack said. “By requiring the maximum sentence for a criminal, we are sending a clear message that, on the third strike, you’re out of society for as long as the punishment will allow.”

Both bills are now in the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.

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