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Board adopts revised Intermediate Punishment Program, shortens community service requirement
Summary
The board approved a county Intermediate Punishment Program — a sentencing alternative for non-violent defendants with substance use disorders — and amended Appendix A to reduce community service from 10 to 8 hours before approval.
The Chester County Prison Board voted to adopt a revised Intermediate Punishment Program intended as a county‑level sentencing option for non‑violent individuals with substance use disorders.
Chris Pulaski, who presented the plan, described the program as a structured sentencing alternative that includes drug and alcohol assessment, probation review, attorney eligibility screening, court referral and a combination of supervision, community treatment, electronic monitoring and community service. “This is a county level sentencing option for non‑violent individuals with a substance use disorder,” Pulaski said.
Board members noted the plan had been revised quickly to align with applicable state law and recent case law; the presenter said the update reflected consultation with the district attorney, the courts, the public defender and probation staff. The board approved one substantive change to Appendix A: reducing community service from 10 hours to 8 hours in the program’s chart. Following that amendment, the plan was approved by voice vote.
The board did not take a recorded roll‑call vote during the meeting. The plan’s approval directs staff and the probation office to apply the revised procedural and eligibility checks described in the program materials when the courts consider it as a sentencing option.
