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MISSION STATEMENT

 

The mission of the Pennsylvania Prison Society is to advocate for a humane, just and restorative correctional system, and to promote a rational approach to criminal justice issues.

The Pennsylvania Prison Society, founded on fundamentals embedded in the United States Constitution, has been an unwavering voice for justice and humanity for more than two centuries, and has adapted its programs over the years to continue its mission to advocate for a humane, just and restorative correctional system, and to promote a rational approach to criminal justice issues.

Members of the Prison Society believe that offenders should be held accountable for breaking laws and that punishments should be constructive. The Prison Society recognizes that constructive corrections helps to repair the damages of crimes on victims and communities. This precludes reliance on excessive and unnecessary incarceration, thus freeing government spending for vital issues such as education, healthcare, the environment and public safety. The equilibrium achieved through this restorative approach, which is both cost effective and humane, benefits and enriches all facets of society and advances the well being of the entire community.

Goals

  1. To monitor correctional facilities within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, advocating for remedial action where unsafe or inhumane conditions exist, and to urge the creation and maintenance of constructive institutional environments.
  2. To ensure development and implementation of policies that will improve prison conditions and programs, and to challenge corrections professional to remain informed about innovations in the field and apply them.
  3. To support prisoners, their families and those recently released in their efforts toward self-help and development, and to reduce their pain and misery through visitation, services, and intervention.
  4. To advocate for rational and progressive criminal justice legislation and programs, recognizing our overuse of incarceration as a failed experiment in crime control. To, therefore, substantially reduce the use of incarceration, through the implementation or more appropriate correctional settings.
  5. To inform, educate and mobilize the public to promote correctional reform in Pennsylvania, and to coordinate the networking and exchange of information among constituencies engaged in these efforts and similar activities involving criminal justice reform.