Philadelphia, PA – A shift in Pennsylvania’s sentencing landscape is underway as District Attorney Larry Krasner joined community and religious leaders Thursday to support new legislation that would eliminate mandatory life sentences for second-degree murder convictions. The proposal follows a recent Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that declared such sentences unconstitutional, setting a deadline for lawmakers to act.
The March 26 decision gave the General Assembly 120 days to establish a legal remedy for more than 1,100 people currently serving mandatory life sentences statewide, including about 500 in Philadelphia. House Bill 443 seeks to address that mandate by restructuring how felony murder cases are sentenced moving forward and revisiting existing cases.
Proposed sentencing changes under House Bill 443
House Bill 443 would remove the requirement of life imprisonment without parole for second-degree murder convictions and replace it with structured sentencing guidelines. The bill introduces tiered sentencing ranges that consider a defendant’s age at the time of the offense and creates a pathway for parole eligibility after a defined minimum term.
“The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling gives the Legislature an opportunity to provide a remedy for those 1,100 Pennsylvanians currently serving an unconstitutional sentence. House Bill 443 would provide that remedy by giving the Parole Board the authority to determine whether individuals who have served at least 25 years deserve a second chance,” said District Attorney Larry Krasner. “People who have been incarcerated for decades following offenses that were committed while they were young are especially deserving of a second look, and HB 443 would give them that opportunity for fairness.”
Supporters say the measure would allow the Pennsylvania Parole Board to evaluate individuals on a case-by-case basis rather than excluding them entirely from release consideration.
Community leaders call for legislative action
Advocates and community leaders emphasized rehabilitation and personal transformation as central arguments for the bill. Many pointed to the impact of long-term incarceration on individuals who committed crimes at a young age.
“I grew up facing much adversity in my adolescent and early adult years,” said Bishop Michelle Simmons, founder and CEO of Why Not Prosper, Inc. “I faced abuse, legal problems, and substance use, and was later incarcerated. My story is not unique, but it is an important one to share because it shows that people can experience growth and change. House Bill 443 offers a way to give hundreds of incarcerated individuals that opportunity.”
Robert Saleem Holbrook, executive director of the Abolitionist Law Center and co-author of HB 433, warned that legislative inaction could leave the court’s ruling without meaningful effect.
“The PA Supreme Court ruling brought a measure of hope and redemption to over 1,100 people serving death by incarceration in Pennsylvania,” said Holbrook. “But lawmakers in Harrisburg must act to ensure that the door of opportunity is not unjustly closed on these individuals. The time to act to ensure Pennsylvanians’ constitutional rights is now.”
Reverend Dr. Damone Jones highlighted the potential for rehabilitation among incarcerated individuals, particularly those who entered the system at a young age.
“As someone who has spent decades working with young people in the carceral system, I see firsthand their ability to transform into mentors, teachers and leaders,” said Reverend Dr. Damone Jones. “The Legislature still has 92 days left to provide a fair and just remedy and we hope that they will take advantage by passing HB 443.”
Krasner also pointed to broader impacts, including public safety and the cost of incarceration. “This bill helps move our justice system toward one that prioritizes safety, fairness, and freedom, rather than outcomes that perpetuate mass incarceration. Allowing individuals to return home after serving substantial time, when appropriate, reduces the high cost of incarceration and ultimately benefits taxpayers, while still achieving public safety,” he said.
Lawmakers now face a narrowing window to pass legislation that aligns state sentencing laws with the court’s ruling, as the 120-day deadline continues to count down.
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