Pa. plan to reduce prison population faces criticism

Associated Press

HARRISBURG

State prison guards are giving a cool reception to Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposal for the biggest reduction in the prison population in Pennsylvania history.

State officials say the projected decline will happen because of increased efficiency in the parole process.

Secretary of Corrections John Wertzel says it can take up to 100 days for an inmate to be released after being granted parole.

But Roy Pinto, president of the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, says he believes the projected reductions aren’t going to happen.

Pinto told The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News that corrections officials are going to have to “cut people loose that shouldn’t be cut loose.”

He says officials need to look at reducing overtime and perhaps trimming fat in a department he called “top-heavy.”