Parole Ban Lifted

Governor Rendell has lifted a ban on paroling violent prisoners from Pennsylvania prisons. The move comes following a new report on this system saying the system is sound but could use a few revisions. Rendell imposed the moratorium in September, after parolee killed a Philadelphia police officer. The report from the head of Temple University's Criminal Justice Department recommended using several measures to identify those prisoners most likely to commit violent crimes upon release from prison. The report also recommends 90 days of close supervision for all parolees and new training for parole officers. The system denies parole to about 50 percent of violent offenders.