More criminal records in Pennsylvania can be sealed from public view and fewer people might be kept on probation or in county jails, under legislation signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro on Thursday (Dec. 14).
Both bills passed the House and Senate with large majorities Wednesday amid a flurry of end-of-year action.
The new probation law aims to limit the length of probation and prevent people from being sent back to jail for minor violations in a state with one of the highest rates of residents who are incarcerated or under supervision.
However, it drew criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union,…
