Stoneleigh Fellow Sangeeta Prasad spoke at a recent press conference held by Philadelphia’s District Attorney’s Office on its move to end the practice of seeking unnecessarily lengthy and punitive probation and parole sentences.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner is moving to end the practice of seeking lengthy probation and parole sentences for many people in the city’s criminal justice system, a system he referred to as “mass supervision” –– the “evil twin” of mass incarceration.
At a Thursday press conference, the defense attorney-turned-reformist prosecutor said his office would seek to limit the length of these sentences to 12 months for misdemeanors and three years for felonies, except in instances where state law mandates a longer term….
Krasner was joined by other supporters of progressive changes to the criminal justice system. Stoneleigh Foundation fellow Sangeeta Prasad called Philadelphia and Pennsylvania international outliers for excessive supervision.
“It is time for Philadelphia to relinquish its position as one of the most supervised cities in the world,” she said.
