61 Pa.C.S. Ch. 50

in effect

61 Pa.C.S. § 5001 Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Board." The Pennsylvania Parole Board. "Chairman." The chairman of the Pennsylvania Parole Board. "Community corrections center." A residential program that is supervised and operated by the department in accordance with this chapter. "Community corrections facility." A residential facility operated by a private contractor that: (1) houses offenders pursuant to a contract with the department; and (2) is operated in accordance with this chapter. (June 30, 2021, P.L.260, No.59, eff. imd.)

61 Pa.C.S. § 5002 Department.

The department may do all of the following: (1) Establish community corrections centers at locations throughout this Commonwealth approved by the Governor. (2) Enter into contracts with private vendors to operate community corrections facilities. (3) Establish parole violator centers. (June 30, 2021, P.L.260, No.59, eff. imd.)

61 Pa.C.S. § 5003 Offenders who may be housed.

(a) Community corrections centers, parole violator centers and community corrections facilities.--The following offenders may be housed in community corrections centers, parole violator centers and community corrections facilities: (1) An offender paroled by the board who is in good standing as defined in section 6101 (relating to definitions). (2) An offender paroled by the board who: (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii), is detained or awaiting a hearing or who has been recommitted for a technical violation of the conditions of supervision if the offender is eligible to be housed in a community corrections center, parole violator center or community corrections facility under section 6138 (relating to violation of terms of parole). (ii) Subparagraph (i) shall not apply to an offender paroled by the board who is detained pending resolution of criminal charges as a convicted violator under section 6138(a) or awaiting a hearing or who has been recommitted. (3) (Deleted by amendment). (4) (Deleted by amendment). (5) (Expired). (b) Community corrections centers and community corrections facilities.--The following offenders may be housed in community corrections centers and community corrections facilities: (1) An offender who is serving the community-based portion of a sentence in a State drug treatment program. (2) An offender who has been granted clemency by the Governor. (June 30, 2021, P.L.260, No.59, eff. imd.) 2013 Expiration. Paragraph (5) expired July 1, 2013. See Act 122 of 2012.

61 Pa.C.S. § 5004 Authority of Commonwealth employees.

Commonwealth employees of community corrections centers and parole violator centers and other Commonwealth employees present in community corrections facilities have the authority to do all of the following: (1) In order to maintain security and to enforce the rules of the community corrections center, parole violator center or community corrections facility: (i) search the person and property of an offender residing in the community corrections center, parole violator center or community corrections facility; (ii) seize property from an offender residing in the community corrections center, parole violator center or community corrections facility; and (iii) if necessary, use reasonable force against an offender residing in the community corrections center or community corrections facility. (2) Detain, by using reasonable force if necessary, an offender residing in the community corrections center, parole violator center or community corrections facility to maintain control of the offender pending the arrival of a department parole agent, police officer or other appropriate law enforcement officer. (June 30, 2021, P.L.260, No.59, eff. imd.)

61 Pa.C.S. § 5005 Authority of chairman.

The chairman has the following authority: (1) (Deleted by amendment). (2) (Deleted by amendment). (3) Determine, jointly with the secretary, using evidence-based practices designed to reduce the likelihood of recidivism and improve public safety, the appropriate treatment and programming for offenders paroled by the board who are housed at community corrections centers, parole violator centers and community corrections facilities. (4) Audit, jointly with the secretary, the performance of treatment and services provided by community corrections centers, parole violator centers and community corrections facilities. (June 30, 2021, P.L.260, No.59, eff. imd.)

61 Pa.C.S. § 5006 Escape.

An offender detained or recommitted to a community corrections center, parole violator center or a community corrections facility as a result of a parole violation shall be deemed to be in official detention under 18 Pa.C.S. § 5121 (relating to escape). An offender living in a community corrections center or community corrections facility while in good standing on parole shall not be deemed to be in official detention under 18 Pa.C.S. § 5121. (June 30, 2021, P.L.260, No.59, eff. imd.)

61 Pa.C.S. § 5007 Certain offenders residing in group-based homes.

(a) Notification requirement.-- (1) A group-based home located within a county of the sixth, seventh or eighth class that agrees to provide housing to an individual knowing that the individual has been previously convicted of an offense under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2502 (relating to murder) or a substantially similar offense committed in another jurisdiction shall notify the head of the governing body of the municipality and the county in which the group-based home is located that the individual is staying at the group-based home. (2) The notification required under paragraph (1) shall be sent by certified mail within 48 hours of the individual's arrival at the group-based home and shall include the following information: (i) Name of the individual, including all known aliases. (ii) Date of the individual's arrival at the group-based home. (iii) The individual's expected length of stay at the group-based home. (iv) Contact information for the group-based home. (b) Public hearing.-- (1) The governing body of a municipality or county receiving notification from a group-based-home provider under subsection (a) may conduct a public hearing concerning the group-based-home provider, its site and its operations. (2) All hearings shall be conducted in compliance with 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings). A governing body conducting a public hearing under this subsection shall announce the hearing via posting on its official publicly accessible Internet website no less than two weeks prior to the hearing. The announcement shall provide information regarding the purpose, location, date and time of the public hearing and a contact number for interested persons to call in order to obtain additional information about the hearing. (3) At a public hearing under this subsection, the group-based-home provider shall explain the operation of the group-based home and the governing body conducting the hearing shall permit public questions and comments. (c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: "Group-based home." A nonprofit or for-profit entity that maintains a facility that provides housing to individuals on probation or parole or other individuals previously convicted of crimes. The term shall not include a correctional institution or a facility maintained by a domestic violence program. (June 30, 2021, P.L.260, No.59, eff. imd.) 2021 Amendment. Act 59 added section 5007. Cross References. Section 5007 is referred to in sections 9799.25, 9799.55 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

61 Pa.C.S. § 5008 Reporting.

The department shall ensure that any crime committed within a community corrections center or community corrections facility is immediately reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the community corrections center or community corrections facility. (June 30, 2021, P.L.260, No.59, eff. imd.) 2021 Amendment. Act 59 added section 5008.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM&ttl=61Fetched: 10/16/2026