Prison Oversight

BACKGROUND

For years, Philadelphia’s prisons have been under scrutiny for critical understaffing, inmate overdoses and deaths, high profile escapes, general maintenance challenges, and poor hygiene.

Philadelphia City Councilmember and Majority Whip Isaiah Thomas (D- At Large), after nearly two years of stakeholder engagement, introduced and passed legislation proposing the creation of a Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and an Office of Prison Oversight.

If approved by you - Philadelphia voters - the Office of Prison Oversight would be responsible for increasing transparency and accountability in Philadelphia Department of Prisons, monitoring facilities, accessing databases and documents, meeting with staff and incarcerated individuals, and developing community education programs. The Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board would hold monthly public meetings and provide recommendations to the Office and the Department of Prisons on policy and best practices.

Sample Ballot

Shall The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for the creation of an independent Philadelphia Prison Community Oversight Board and Office of Prison Oversight and to further authorize City Council to determine the composition, powers and duties of the Board and Office?

VOTE YES!

IMPORTANT DATES

• April 9th, 2025: Department of Prisons City Council Budget hearing
• May 5th, 2025: Register to vote
• May 13th, 2025: Apply for a mail in ballot
• May 20th, 2025: Election Day (vote ‘Yes’ on Ballot Measure 3)

IN THE NEWS

• Opinion: The Philadelphia Prison Advisory Board is a farce
• Philly's prison system needs new oversight board to fix staffing problems, overcrowding, councilmember says
• Opinion: Philadelphia’s prisons are in crisis. Mayor and Council need to act. | Editorial
• City Council will consider a community oversight board for Philadelphia's prisons
• City Council members push for prison oversight committee, housing-centered solutions to homelessness, addiction
• Philadelphia City Council approves new prison oversight structure
• City Council approves prison oversight legislation, ballot question – Metro Philadelphia
• Philly could create a prison oversight board next year. Here's what it would do
• Prison abuse, deaths and escapes prompt calls for more oversight

RESOURCES

• Read the legislation:
  • Bill can be read here
  • Resolution can be read here
• WATCH: Prison Oversight Committee Hearing
• Register to vote, find your polling location, or apply for a mail-in ballot at vote.phila.gov.