On April 2nd, Senator Katie Muth, Chair of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee, and Senator Cappelletti will co-host a hearing on the Commonwealth’s absence of reliable information surrounding deaths in the custody of law enforcement and correctional institutions. To address the lack of reliable data, the federal Death in Custody Reporting Act (DCRA) mandates that these agencies notify the federal government of any fatalities that occur while a person is in custody. Currently, Pennsylvania ranks among the highest in the nation for death rates of individuals in custody, with state prison deaths increasing from 171 in 2019 to 239 in 2020. Disturbingly, county jails in the state reported 56 deaths in 2020, marking the highest death rate in two decades, with less than half of these cases being reported to the federal government. Comprehensive reporting is a crucial tool for public health and accountability, aiming to enhance transparency and maintain the integrity of the criminal justice system in the Commonwealth.

This hearing will be at the North Office Building Hearing Room 1, 401 North St, Harrisburg, PA 17120

If you would like to participate virtually, register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqcO-oqT8oHtZFRJxm91uXmAAPCIZD03FX