What Probation is and Why it Needs to be Changed

Speaking Freely With the ACLU-PA

In theory, a probation sentence in the criminal legal system should be an alternative to incarceration. The problem? In practice, it feeds mass incarceration, with restrictive rules that set people up for failure. In this episode, we hear from Dolly Prabhu, staff attorney for Abolitionist Law Center, and Kate Parker and Byron Cotter from the Defender Association of Philadelphia. Dolly, Kate, and Byron explain how probation functions, why it's flawed, and what kind of reform is needed of Pennsylvania's probation system. (Hint: It's not in the legislation currently being debated at the PA General Assembly.) Learn more about Senate Bill 913 at this link: https://aclupa.org/en/legislation/sb-913-probation Contact your state rep and tell them to vote NO on SB 913 at this link: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/pa-oppose-sb913