New Risk-Analysis Approved For Use By Pennsylvania Judges

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – A state commission that creates sentencing policy for Pennsylvania’s criminal courts is approving a new risk-assessment formula to help judges determine which defendants aren’t likely to be violent reoffenders, but critics say it’s based on discriminatory data and could expand prison ranks.
The Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing voted 7-2 on Thursday to approve the formula. The vote comes nine years after lawmakers ordered it to help curb Pennsyl