Authorizing the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold a hearing on detainer policy in the City of Philadelphia, and calling on the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania to provide an overview of its policies and practices regarding detainer issuance on individuals with post trial probation and parole sentences.

WHEREAS, Philadelphia has one of the highest rates of incarceration in the United States, with a disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities; and

WHEREAS, Individuals held in custody on detainers often result in extended detention for nonviolent offenses, exacerbating systemic inequities; and

WHEREAS, Court initiatives, such as, Early Bail Review hearings have demonstrated potential for reducing bail amounts but remain limited in their ability to resolve detainers; and

WHEREAS, In order to understand how Philadelphia’s criminal legal system functions, it is critical to evaluate data pertaining to detainer cases reviewed during Gagnon I, Gagnon II, Early Bail Review, and Detainer hearings, including: (1) Criteria for issuing and lifting detainers; (2) Data on detainers and bail outcomes disaggregated by race, gender, and offense type; and (3) Coordination processes with issuing jurisdictions for detainer resolution; and

WHEREAS, Data from the "Straight Outta Trouble" initiative highlights the need for transparency and reform in judicial policies governing detainer related hearings; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby authorizes the Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold a hearing on detainer policy in the City of Philadelphia, and calls on the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania to provide an overview of its policies and practices regarding detainer issuance on individuals with post trial probation and parole sentences.

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