A regular occurrence on social media is the complaint that the court system has failed either the persons found violating the law or the community that desires to be better protected from those persons who are found guilty of doing so.

The “slap on the wrist” and “probation” comments are constantly being posted. It doesn’t matter how many times the district attorney’s office tries to explain that there are sentencing guidelines that have to be followed and they can’t place someone on death row because the community says that is what they want done.

Most of the time, the prosecutors probably want stiffer sentences and the defense attorneys believe the sentencing guidelines are too tough on their clients.

Most of the public is unaware that Pennsylvania has a Commission on Sentencing that is charged with setting the guidelines that state judges use to set prison terms, probation and parole.

The commission as structured has one district attorney, one defense attorney, a law professor, four state lawmakers and four common pleas judges. Possibly in reaction to dissatisfaction from the public, a new advisory panel has been placed into the mix this year to work with the commission. That advisory panel is made up of 11 persons from various academic areas of expertise. Most, but not all, of them teach in Pennsylvania colleges or universities. Some are from out of state.

One point of emphasis for them is examining if any particular race is affected more than another by the guidelines currently in place. Another point of attention is the overcrowding of jails being caused by parole violators and the desire of the Department of Corrections to reduce the population of the prison system.

Chances are the panel will come back with either very little in the way of recommended reform or maybe some extreme measures. If Pennsylvania was to decriminalize marijuana, it could have an immediate impact on these issues.

The best news is that someone recognizes there are problems and more than just a little tweaking is needed to correct, not just for racial inequality, but also changes in social norms and behavior.

Once the panel and then the commission have done their work, the guideline recommendations then go to Harrisburg for approval. But that is another problem isn’t it?

Please, wear your mask.

— RV