Senate Passes Greenleaf Resolution Opposing Interstate Parolee Policies

HARRISBURG –The Senate passed unanimously a resolution offered by Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf to protest an interstate organization's policy allowing certain parolees to cross state lines without informing the host state's law enforcement authorities.

Greenleaf said he was opposed to a policy adopted via teleconference by the commissioners of the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision, a group that administers an interstate agreement to provide supervision of offenders who move from one state to another during their period of parole.  "Some of the states involved in the interstate compact don't want to expend the money or manpower needed to supervise certain parolees properly," Greenleaf explained.  "The commissioners from these states voted to allow certain misdemeanor crime offenders to move from one state to another without having to inform authorities in the offender's chosen state of residence.  I believe this is an irresponsible policy that risks public safety."

The senator noted that the Senate resolution will be sent to the headquarters of the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision in Lexington, Kentucky.  "I hope this leads to a reconsideration of the new policy," Greenleaf said.

Under the policy, those convicted of harassment, domestic violence, drug offenses, and bad check writing may move from one state to another without the knowledge of appropriate law enforcement agencies.  "The purpose of the interstate compact is to regulate the movement of paroled offenders and provide for their supervision in the state in which they chose to serve out their parole.  The purpose is not to provide for glorified self-supervision for offenders.  Pennsylvania authorities want to keep tabs on parolees living in the commonwealth.  The commission is asking for trouble and should reconsider the policy it adopted in a March teleconference," the senator said.