[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6197072,"mediaKeyId","3853909-fb0bd05bc46b323265f2358eb39475f6","parentId",3853909,"title","Commission approves errata for eighth‑edition guidelines; discusses implementation questions from Act 18 of 2024","audioSeconds",108,"startMs",7019000,"endMs",7127000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853909-fb0bd05bc46b323265f2358eb39475f6&start=7019&end=7127","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853909-fb0bd05bc46b323265f2358eb39475f6/thumbnail_7019000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6197072/Pennsylvania/Commission-approves-errata-for-eighthedition-guidelines-discusses-implementation-questions-from-Act-18-of-2024","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197072-c1918beb36df683198b33cffcd91ed3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742254&Signature=N-xdxkPM1ivTBlkqQquryKBshIzGo4PoA3wZ-VtjfFHmnbcOW0JI3GsR~voxy50Y7kkBtYOcbXRn~zN1S7l11oWbghtTHOOAV0FVn4UGjWZ53r-UBOKu0FaSjPDJrwBzleHsMzHgXC1DOSVEWDr7rj30iS24-1cG3vPiXej1s2humZJRe7-4GA~KuWofr6Nx9E7XXEgz21eIywI26VBnbdGx36xpvJV4e00tCl-23rxjTPTpm6HeBeAem4Kz2aPrDvoDlYlDLoAZGXmPlJpTaLvOXraAsXwRMfUsmq8DRWt6VbLwJwNDaauFhVb6Qb-FNdUgkhOqkSDtGAi7k~ePdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-16T13:37:06Z","article","The Commission on Sentencing voted June 11 to approve an errata document for the eighth edition of the sentencing guidelines and discussed how Act 18 of 2024 interacts with the commission’s omnibus enhancement policy.

Senior deputy director Ryan Myers asked the commission to approve a compiled errata document that corrects typographical and similar errors discovered since publication of the eighth edition; a motion to post the errata on the commission website was made and seconded, and the commission approved the errata by voice vote. Myers said the practice of posting errata is consistent with earlier editions and is intended to reduce practitioner confusion.

Myers and other staff then briefed commissioners about Act 18 of 2024, which added a new vehicle code offense prohibiting use of an interactive mobile device while operating a vehicle (referenced in the meeting as section 33 16.1). Act 18 also amended existing homicide‑by‑vehicle and aggravated‑assault‑by‑vehicle sentencing language that references enumerated factors that trigger a sentencing enhancement; staff noted that the new provision (use of an interactive mobile device) was included in that enumeration. Staff told commissioners the omnibus enhancement policy (a standing placeholder rule the commission uses when the General Assembly creates a new enhancement but the guidelines have not been amended) generally adds one offense gravity score point when no bespoke enhancement exists.

Staff asked commissioners to consider whether the new Act 18 factor should be treated as an addition to the existing set of enhancement triggers for homicide and aggravated assault by vehicle (i.e., an item in an existing enhancement list) or whether it should be handled differently. No policy decision was recorded at the June meeting; staff said they would return with specific guidance and programming changes so that the commission’s web application and guidance materials correctly reflect the statute and the omnibus enhancement policy.

Ending: The commission approved the errata for public posting and directed staff to develop implementation guidance and any necessary programming updates related to Act 18 and the omnibus enhancement policy for future consideration.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Business Meeting - June 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved errata for the eighth‑edition sentencing guidelines for posting, and staff raised implementation questions about how the omnibus enhancement policy applies to new vehicle‑related offenses created by Act 18 of 2024.","taxTitle","Commission on Sentencing, Other State Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Pennsylvania","taxId",30809,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6197077,"Commission provides parole board with quarterly analytical reports showing high guideline conformity and grant rates",276,3345000,3621000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853909-fb0bd05bc46b323265f2358eb39475f6&start=3345&end=3621","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853909-fb0bd05bc46b323265f2358eb39475f6/thumbnail_3345000.jpg","/articles/6197077/Pennsylvania/Commission-provides-parole-board-with-quarterly-analytical-reports-showing-high-guideline-conformity-and-grant-rates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197077-d9d7aa6ce0d5c7bcda22d5a2ff073271/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742254&Signature=lwkq6hqaCzHnTecQPQDX7TD1a2tjxyRRIAkwX-wurXSsdk-ezU2MBlVjtA~qxyHv-OUF0CQsptSLTi9kbem5nNMLPuMlTyyw2NDKtj373nWS-kVJXSZj3Jbv8O~5MOzjmQUpLnbCcu~e87eNs6-7BYmKUzpk2gYytDt0KTPC~9V9k4d5TxqaBPTaGVOcigFFqo88LFQqyHMW1C2t44Kly-NdRJY~jQI7olK3zXWKJTKg6uCIe2mQk5yIR9C1x-Ixj2NPZNaEMRNYcs11iTn1u-qkFHQo7atuS34RjMiWiGxJC50NRNthumsanrnJClUyNQxdJyS-Np6eGzM8pWq26w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commission reported June 11 that it has produced quarterly management reports for the Pennsylvania State Parole Board that show grant rates, conformity with parole guidelines, and individual board‑member decision comparisons intended to support fair and consistent decision‑making.

Deputy director Matt Wyman and staff described the reports as a management tool the board requested under the data‑sharing agreement. The quarterly charts show grant rates around 40% for violent cases and about 55% for nonviolent cases, with conformity (decisions consistent with guideline recommendations) exceeding 80% in recent quarters. Wyman and staff said the reports compare current quarter results to the prior three quarters to flag trend changes.

The reports also include ready access to case characteristics, a preparedness index and risk information for each case, and a matrix that shows grant rates by risk and preparedness cells. Staff added an annual individual report for each board member to compare that member’s decisions to the aggregate board on grant rate, conformity and specific factors; the report displays a board member’s pattern against the aggregate and shows reasons for deviations so members can reflect on decision patterns.

Chairman Fox (commenting in his capacity as Parole Board chair during the presentation) praised the reports as useful for producing data on whether grant and denial decisions are being made consistently across demographic and case characteristics and called the reports “very, very valuable.” Staff said the Parole Board has received two quarterly reports and responded positively to the presentation at the board’s retreat.

Ending: The commission will continue to produce the quarterly parole reports, include descriptive trend comparisons and provide the Parole Board with individual annual reports to support internal review and training.

","The commission said it has developed quarterly and annual analytical reports for the State Parole Board showing grant rates by offense type and a conformity rate above 80 percent; staff also described individual board member comparisons for self‑review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6197082,"Commission finalizes 2023 annual report, reports 98% statewide sentence reporting and expands resentencing outreach and training",711,1821000,2532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853909-fb0bd05bc46b323265f2358eb39475f6&start=1821&end=2532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853909-fb0bd05bc46b323265f2358eb39475f6/thumbnail_1821000.jpg","/articles/6197082/Pennsylvania/Commission-finalizes-2023-annual-report-reports-98-statewide-sentence-reporting-and-expands-resentencing-outreach-and-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197082-ca350d834f784c597ae45a335e042dd1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742254&Signature=FQrk2cnFqVXboTT07muLKszmg1V1NIJGIqPRLs3lZgn~7GXHz6rSZ0WwK-4mjt2DfPst9FY4wQVkKNJU5vgzeq5y~1kjBQtC8YFURpMkEcQlD3E8tHGssCxiCoEWtHH-hidVzVtURiSrA5Nl7eSDCBo44SO3X5ZGcmi1xc4lS3ck-ADjO98F~oOnwU0SiEExVoizirhrUg11GrWeJs0LTnfjbjKrwTar2ZJGbPIAXGcfScbNVVQkNadtfA11ureuWiY4kS-9I0Qw9QvBEVQu8HFRvJKHgr7pLSxqv21BvvSfljSuRZCGWcYtL-zACFiUyIV8yF~GV~PYfPeqHgxKSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commission staff said June 11 that the 2023 annual report is finalized and will be emailed to members and posted on the commission’s website next week; staff also reported strong statewide reporting rates for 2024 sentencing data and new efforts to improve reporting of resentencings.

Ryan Myers, Senior Deputy Director for Administration and Outreach, said statewide case reporting for 2024 reached 98% of sentences submitted to the commission—an increase of about two percentage points over the prior year—and that no counties fall below the commission’s 85% reporting threshold; all counties are at 90% or higher. He said 62 counties are at 95% or higher and 49 counties are at 98% or higher. Myers said staff will post county‑level reporting percentages on the commission website and continue to notify counties directly.

On resentencing data, Bobby (Education & Outreach) said he sent messages to each county chief probation officer and, as of the meeting, had spoken to representatives from 34 of 67 counties to inventory resentencing reporting practices and barriers. Staff said some counties track resentencings consistently while others do not and that the 2025 effort is intended to create a clearer resentencing percentage metric in the future.

Staff also previewed education and outreach initiatives: expanded e‑learning and new summer courses on offense gravity scores and sentencing enhancements, continued MOUs with Penn State and Duquesne Law School for classroom instruction, and ongoing user acceptance testing for the new case exchange (KCER). Bobby described the commission’s compendium project as an updated, modular replacement for the old implementation manual; staff are drafting offense‑specific handbooks and judicial proceeding consideration materials and seeking member feedback.

Staff cautioned about early analyses of the eighth edition guidelines: the commission has received an increasing share of eighth edition cases during 2024 (rising from under 1% in January to roughly half of cases received in December), but those early cases overrepresent less complex matters (fast dispositions). The research unit recommended waiting another six months of data to produce a robust analysis of eighth edition impacts before publishing conclusions.

Ending: Staff will post the 2023 annual report and county reporting tables, continue the resentencing outreach, finalize compendium drafts for member feedback, and extend the eighth edition analysis window to gain a less biased sample.","Commission staff finalized the 2023 annual report for imminent posting, reported an increase in statewide sentencing reporting to 98% for 2024, launched an outreach project to improve resentencing reporting, and previewed education and compendium materials.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6197087,"Commission advances veterans study under SR 196, recommends early identification and cascade‑of‑care screening model",759,2584000,3343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853909-fb0bd05bc46b323265f2358eb39475f6&start=2584&end=3343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853909-fb0bd05bc46b323265f2358eb39475f6/thumbnail_2584000.jpg","/articles/6197087/Pennsylvania/Commission-advances-veterans-study-under-SR-196-recommends-early-identification-and-cascadeofcare-screening-model","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197087-6ce89b3081a9109e80442fdea2f5acdf/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742254&Signature=HJ4uAvCG7AeOIGJpQuNa6OCLAUohvsqYJiYSy0HeT5jJWzfPJutR6qBHQ51srYKtspkhk~xRXqgXADX0dxaUOpEQ5fFCmQyPghScNqZCfWRPdR6Ah1-azhg2Yz6x4OsC~eEo43B-ZLykaifxhxFcthx5gRlApcp5RqVAUcVglKif6ll0eZzcNkMiOny7Jkd87kRpnaONvRYBTfTez8FqsLLFlXaBCJQug8wmLfmO0ATeej2FjAu5~LtaPOev7A85z3Gdg0myzzN-UC6mTE9S4EVoCCJ2MhWxA-lPi2ZJVzsF01GlmlzXnEO31ZErYH~ZWHi2wB3XgJ9A8VbTDUJ2WA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Staff leading the Senate Resolution 196 veterans study told commissioners on June 11 they are completing chapter drafts and plan to submit findings and recommendations to the General Assembly in September 2025.

Executive Director Matt Wyman said the study used a mixed‑methods approach—administrative data, surveys of president judges and county wardens, and site visits to Allegheny, Chester and Jefferson counties and SCI Houtzdale. Wyman described the study’s organizing framework as a “cascade of care”: identify veterans early, screen briefly for post‑traumatic and other service‑related behavioral health needs, complete full clinical assessments for those who screen positive, and refer an even smaller subset to treatment. He said the model can apply at multiple stages, including pre‑sentencing, parole intake, and veteran treatment court enrollment.

Wyman and staff presented tentative recommendations drawn from the work so far: incorporate veteran identification earlier in the criminal process, create a mechanized veteran status flag linked to Department of Defense records to follow an individual through court, probation and correctional systems, adopt the cascade‑of‑care screening and assessment sequence prior to sentencing where feasible, and evaluate veterans treatment courts using process, outcome and cost‑benefit methods. Staff also recommended exploring telehealth and video conferencing for clinical assessments and treatment to improve access in rural areas.

There is no formal commission vote recorded on the study’s final recommendations at the June meeting. Wyman said the commission will share executive summary and recommendations with members before the September deadline and will ask the commission to ratify the report at its September meeting. He invited commissioners to request individual draft chapters for review; staff said some chapters already have been shared with subject matter reviewers and advisory committee members, including Representative Bonner, who chairs the SR 196 advisory committee.

Ending: Staff will continue drafting chapters, circulate the executive summary and recommendations to commission members in August, and submit the SR 196 report to the legislature in September 2025 for the advisory committee and legislative review.

","Staff told the commission they are finalizing chapters for the Senate Resolution 196 veterans study due Sept. 2025 and outlined draft recommendations including early veteran identification, a veteran status flag in criminal justice data, the cascade of care screening model, and evaluation of veterans treatment courts.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6197092,"Commission on Sentencing approves FY 2025–26 operating budget and service contracts amid projected shortfall",715,607000,1322000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853909-fb0bd05bc46b323265f2358eb39475f6&start=607&end=1322","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853909-fb0bd05bc46b323265f2358eb39475f6/thumbnail_607000.jpg","/articles/6197092/Pennsylvania/Commission-on-Sentencing-approves-FY-202526-operating-budget-and-service-contracts-amid-projected-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197092-28a1062567bc2d5f47161a4632180d2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773742254&Signature=lMlDras3pn-Ry1mJGXTHpedKEI7WXxVeYrZN4M4iXXxY7Vpj~Q-z1jXg6Jf26zwGajKNqMkXgWspcFjg8ou49JlW4thVkpB8yu2x6KH4emPS3vnZ39SKhRt9yytIdJ8HSm4mxTV6oZPdxPMSNf-3kqSmwyCB2N4nULd7pzc1rSLu5C4GatXXvmO54M4weDzQbM8n7itnUmSXto7UhvWCzYln61BfKk~-K3Sz30o2S6ZHenL4RIVQG8Y1cRJf5HmOcl8XVmEMa~oOxd4r7uyqufnL8pTArESLflY5zuAy3-c5TCscPMwRcsTPNOx28dKA1w1i~4kkDdE1IiUBYehazA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commission on Sentencing on June 11 approved a proposed FY 2025–26 operating budget and multiple service contracts while staff warned the agency faces a significant reserve drawdown if requested funding is not restored.

Executive Director Matt Wyman told members the commission’s operating request assumes modest salary increases and includes funds encumbered for a multi‑year IT project. He said the commission requested roughly $3.4 million from the legislature but the operating model presented to the commission shows about $3.8 million in personnel and operating costs; if the requested funding is not forthcoming the commission will draw reserves and delay work. “If this budget request isn’t met, then we’re going to be out of reserves at the end of this fiscal year or close to it,” Wyman said during the meeting.

The commission voted to approve the proposed FY 2025–26 operating budget after a motion by DA Bible and a second by Judge Daley; the motion passed by voice vote. The body also approved a service purchase contract with The Pennsylvania State University for commission operating expenses in the amount of $2,926,211 (motion by Judge McDermott; second Professor Rego), a one‑year legal counsel contract for Professor Joseph Sabino Mystic for $50,000 (moved by Judge Marcico; second Attorney Bakovic), and a not‑to‑exceed $100,000 contract with Carbon Creek for application development services related to the commission’s next‑generation case exchange (motion moved by DA Bridal/Bible; seconded by Judge Marcico). All three motions passed on voice votes.

Wyman also reported staffing changes and vacancies: since the start of the fiscal year the commission reduced its authorized FTE from 24 to 22 and is currently operating with 19 filled positions. He said vacancies include positions in Applications & Information Technology, Administration, and Education & Outreach; the commission is using targeted consultants to supplement IT work while vacancies remain open for budgetary reasons. Wyman said the commission spent about $275,000 this year on rebuilding its web application (SGS NextGen / KCER) and that earlier consultant contracts were terminated in favor of smaller, targeted contracts.

Members and staff discussed tradeoffs if requested legislative funds are not approved, including delaying the KCER work, curtailing training and publications, and further reductions to travel and equipment. Wyman said the commission has drawn other reserve accounts and faces a roughly $700,000 shortfall this fiscal year that reduces available reserves to roughly $350,000 if no supplemental funds are provided. He described potential consequences: delays to the web application, fewer staff available to produce rapid legislative analyses and trainings, and diminished capacity for special projects such as the Senate Resolution 196 veterans study.

The executive team said they are actively engaging legislative allies—Representative Bonner and Senator Street were named in the meeting—and appropriations staff to seek additional funding before the budget is finalized. Staff will return to members with further budget details and any recommended adjustments if appropriations differ from the request.

Ending: The commission approved the motions and contracts by voice vote and instructed staff to continue legislative outreach and to proceed with the approved service purchases and consultant engagements while monitoring the reserve balance.

","The Commission on Sentencing approved its proposed FY 2025–26 operating budget and several service purchase contracts, while staff warned of a multi‑hundred thousand dollar shortfall and ongoing staffing vacancies that could limit operations and IT projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves errata for eighth‑edition guidelines; discusses implementation questions from Act 18 of 2024

Commission provides parole board with quarterly analytical reports showing high guideline conformity and grant rates

Commission finalizes 2023 annual report, reports 98% statewide sentence reporting and expands resentencing outreach and training

Commission advances veterans study under SR 196, recommends early identification and cascade‑of‑care screening model

Commission on Sentencing approves FY 2025–26 operating budget and service contracts amid projected shortfall