Metro Philly, 10/30/24: “Legislation that could lead to the creation of an oversight board for the Philadelphia Department of Prisons and the funding of an accompanying office advanced in City Council this week, despite opposition from Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration.

Efforts to create such an entity extend back two years, when then-Councilmember Helen Gym offered a similar proposal. Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, one of the prime sponsors of the legislative package now being considered, said he is willing to meet weekly to make sure the measure is approved before lawmakers recess in December.

‘We still have about three or four points of contention,’ Thomas told Metro after a hearing Tuesday. ‘We’re going to work with all parties involved to figure out what the happy compromise could be.’

The proposal requires a charter change, meaning it must be approved by two-thirds of Council and a majority of voters. Supporters are hoping to see the question appear on the primary election ballot in May.

Changes to the text of the law are inevitable prior to passage, Thomas said. As it stands, the legislation would authorize a nine-member Prison Community Oversight Board appointed by the mayor and council president. The board would be mandated to hold monthly public meetings.

An Office of Prison Oversight, with a dedicated staff, would also be established, and its budget would be tied to a percentage of the amount the city spends on the jail system. Employees would be empowered to conduct reviews, investigations, inspections and make recommendations.”

Read the full article here.