FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Act 44’s Standardized Reviews Offer a Clear, Fair Path to End Supervision and Rebuild Lives

HARRISBURG, PA – June 11, 2025 – Crucial components of Pennsylvania’s Act 44, the landmark probation reform legislation signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro in December 2023, are now in effect. As of June 11, 2025, a clear and predictable process for early termination of probation is available to eligible individuals in every county, replacing a confusing patchwork of local rules with a single, statewide standard. This builds upon other Act 44 provisions, such as reforms to technical violations and individualized conditions for people on probation, that went into effect in June 2024.

On June 11th, courts began holding standardized “Probation Review Conferences” (PRCs) statewide. Individuals become eligible for a PRC once they meet specific milestones defined under Act 44. These conferences bring probation officers, judges, and the person under supervision together to review progress. A critical part of this new PRC process is the Probation Status Report, prepared by the probation department. This report provides important information about a person’s progress on probation and includes a recommendation to terminate probation, modify conditions, or continue probation as is. A modification can include transitioning to less restrictive administrative probation, reducing check-in frequency, or other changes that align supervision with individualized risks and needs.

Following this report, both the individual on probation and the prosecutor will have 30 days to review and agree to accept or reject the report’s recommendation. Crucially, if no party objects, the court will implement the probation department’s recommendation to terminate probation early, modify probation conditions, or continue probation. If an objection is raised by either party, a full hearing will then be held before a judge who makes the final determination based on the specifics of the case and provisions of Act 44.

Who is Eligible for an Automatic Review?

  • Individuals are encouraged to consult with an attorney to determine their eligibility.
  • For Individuals Sentenced ON or AFTER June 11, 2024: You are eligible for a review after completing either the halfway point of your sentence or two years for a misdemeanor or four years for a felony—whichever comes sooner.
  • For Individuals Sentenced BEFORE June 11, 2024: Under the retroactive provisions of Act 44, you are eligible for a review after completing two years for a misdemeanor or four years for a felony, or after June 11, 2025, whichever is later.
  • Individuals with split sentences or multiple charges are encouraged to discuss their unique situation with an attorney.
  • Those who reach certain benchmarks for participating in activities that help reduce recidivism – such as obtaining a high school diploma or college degree, completing vocational certification, or completing job training will be eligible earlier.
  • This process is not available for individuals convicted of certain serious offenses, such as crimes of violence as defined under 42 Pa.C.S. § 9714(g), offenses requiring sex offender registration, stalking, and certain domestic violence offenses. Individuals are also eligible to have the conditions of their probation  reviewed, but not eligible for early termination, if they have been convicted of a new crime while on probation or committed certain technical violations recently.
  • Lastly, individuals currently enrolled in programming or who still owe restitution do not automatically qualify for early termination, although judges have discretion to terminate probation early or adjust their conditions.

This new approach is designed to enhance public safety by allowing supervision resources to be focused where they are most needed.  By providing a clear path for low-risk individuals who demonstrate rehabilitation to complete supervision, Act 44 enables probation officers to dedicate more time and resources to individuals who are higher-risk and require more intensive support and oversight.  This strategy is grounded in evidence showing that lengthy supervision terms can be counterproductive, and it is modeled on proven, homegrown solutions like York County’s successful early termination program, which has demonstrated very low recidivism rates.

Act 44 will also help get people on probation back to work. When probation conditions hamper employees from entering the workforce or advancing their careers, it harms our economy and holds entire communities back. Act 44 helps remove those barriers and creates incentives that encourage educational attainment, vocational certification, and job training, which will support people on probation in gaining marketable skills that enable them to contribute to our workforce and economy.

“We are moving from a system that too often trapped people in endless cycles of supervision to one that offers clear incentives for positive change, which ultimately makes our communities safer,” said Erin Haney, Chief Policy Officer at REFORM Alliance. “As these standardized Probation Review Conferences begin under Act 44, they will provide clear, attainable pathways for individuals to earn their way off supervision. This creates an opportunity for us to recognize progress and allow people to fully rejoin their communities as productive citizens.”

 

“The new Probation Review Conference process is an important shift in how progress is assessed and rewarded in Pennsylvania’s probation system,” said Brian Crow, Senior Director of Implementation at REFORM Alliance. “It provides a structured mechanism for probation officers to recommend early termination or condition changes based on an individual’s achievements and compliance. These standardized reviews ensure that individuals have a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate their progress and earn a chance to move forward with their lives.”

 

“Behind every case is a parent returning to family life, a neighbor rebuilding a career, or a veteran striving for stability,” said Erik VanZant, Pennsylvania State Organizer for REFORM Alliance and Pennsylvania Safety Coalition lead. “The full implementation of Act 44 is the result of years of collaboration and a shared commitment to a smarter approach to supervision.”

Individuals on probation, legal practitioners, and advocates are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the specifics of Act 44. For comprehensive resources, including an interactive eligibility tool, detailed flowcharts, and opportunities to ask questions, please visit the REFORM Alliance Act 44 informational page.

REFORM Alliance and its partners will continue to monitor the implementation of Act 44 to ensure it achieves its intended goals of reducing unnecessary incarceration, promoting rehabilitation, and making Pennsylvania’s communities safer.

About REFORM Alliance:

REFORM Alliance is committed to transforming probation and parole by changing laws, systems, and culture to create real pathways to work and well-being. The organization is working to replace America’s criminal justice system with a restorative approach that is fair, accountable, and invested in rehabilitation. Since its founding, REFORM Alliance has passed 21 bipartisan bills in 12 states, creating pathways for more than 850,000 people to exit the system.

About the Pennsylvania Safety Coalition:

The Pennsylvania Safety Coalition is a group of concerned Pennsylvanians working together to strengthen our communities and improve public safety by making improvements to the Commonwealth’s supervision system and building strong partnerships that increase public safety and benefit communities.

CONTACT: media@reformalliance.com