HARRISBURG - Gov. Rendell signed a package of bills into law yesterday that allows releasing some prisoners early in an effort to rein in costs and tackle the growing problem of overcrowding in state and county prisons.
One of the bills will give nonviolent offenders the option, at sentencing, of early release from prison if they complete educational and job-training programs and demonstrate good behavior while behind bars. People serving time on drug and petty-theft charges would be among those eligible.
The legislative package also will require prisoners serving more than two-year sentences to be housed in state prisons rather than county jails, which for years have struggled to keep up with the costs of housing longer-term inmates.
It also will allow some terminally ill inmates to die in hospitals, nursing homes or hospices. Advocates believe the legislation makes some of the most sweeping changes to Pennsylvania's sentencing guidelines in more than a decade.
Rendell signs bills for early release of prisoners | Philadelphia Inquirer | 09/26/2008

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be nice to the people on your way up,because you will meet them again on your way down