Council, advocates rally support for prison oversight ballot measure – Metro Philadelphia

Council, advocates rally support for prison oversight ballot measure – Metro Philadelphia

Lawmakers and advocates on Wednesday urged Philadelphians to approve a new oversight mechanism that they believe will increase transparency and accountability within the city’s jails. A question on the May 20 primary ballot will ask voters whether City Council should be allowed to move forward with establishing a Prison Community Oversight Board and accompanying municipal office. “It's no secret that our prisons are in a crisis, and we're lookin…

Prison reform advocates rally at City Hall in support of ballot question

City Council Minority Whip Nicolas O'Rourke recently visited a Philadelphia prison and saw an inmate wheeled out during a medical emergency.