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Justice Reinvestment Initiative 2 (JRI2)/Act 115

In Dec. 2019, a collection of bills commonly known as Justice Reinvestment Initiative 2 (JRI2) were passed into law, which changed how select DOC programs operate. Among the programs affected were: State Drug Treatment Program; Quick Dips; Short Sentence Parole; and Quehanna Boot Camp.

Another change affects deductions from inmates' accounts. Monetary deductions for restitution and other court-ordered financial obligations have increased from 20 percent to 25 percent. The DOC will now make the mandatory monetary deductions of at least 25 percent of deposits made to inmate accounts.

General Criteria

JRI2 Overview Pamphlet

  • Inmate must be sentenced on or after Dec. 18, 2019.
  • If inmate has multiple sentences, some of which occurred prior to Dec. 18, 2019, they cannot be processed for JRI2 Program Tracks unless the pre-JRI2 sentence expires.
  • Technical Parole Violators are not eligible for JRI2 Program Tracks. Convicted Parole Violators may be eligible upon completion of any Parole Board requirements and entering their new sentence.
  • An inmate must be within two years of their controlling minimum to participate in Boot Camp (BC) or State Drug Treatment Program (SDTP).

JRI2 Program Tracks

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​Processing of Inmates for JRI2 Program Tracks:

  • Each new commitment that enters the PA Department of Corrections is reviewed by the Records Staff for JRI2 eligibility. Any inmate deemed JRI2-eligible is then reviewed by the Unit Team and/or Parole staff for appropriate Program Track placement. Once the appropriate Program Track is identified, the inmate is processed accordingly.
    • Please note: Being eligible for JRI2 does not imply eligibility for any specific program track.  JRI2 eligibility means the inmate was sentenced on or after Dec. 18, 2019 has a true minimum at the time of sentencing of 5 years or less, and does not have a conviction that is ineligible for all three program tracks. 
  • Each inmate that may be eligible for QBC or the SDTP will be processed when they are within two years of their controlling minimum. For those individuals that come into the DOC already within two years of their controlling minimum, they will be processed upon completion of their classification.
  • Inmates that are eligible for Short Sentence Parole (SSP) will be processed according to their controlling minimum.
  • Processing for QBC and the SDTP consists of reviewing statutory criteria and DOC criteria.
  • Processing for SSP includes a review of statutory criteria by the Records Office and the Unit Team. It also includes a review by Parole Staff.
  • Inmates that are approved for the SDTP will be transferred to a State Correctional Institution (SCI) that offers that program.  Currently, the SCI's that offer the SDTP for male inmates are Quehanna Boot Camp, SCI Laurel Highlands and SCI HoutzdaleSCI Cambridge Springs and QBC offer the SDTP for female inmates.
  • Inmates that are approved to participate in the QBC will be transferred to Quehanna Boot Camp for participation.  Currently, QBC starts a new platoon every 8 weeks.

Contact

James Stover, JRI2 Coordinator
jastover@pa.gov
717.956.8430