Lawmakers in Action – Issue 2 Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El Supports Parole Reform for Older Pennsylvanians
This Week’s Spotlight: Rep. Ismail “Izzy” Smith-Wade-El (D – Lancaster County)
Bill: House Bill 908 – Termination of Long-Term Parole Supervision
Summary: A second chance for aging parolees who’ve served time and stayed on track.
What’s the issue?
Thousands of Pennsylvanians remain under parole supervision for years or even decades after they’ve been released from prison. This long-term monitoring can create major obstacles for people trying to rebuild their lives—especially for those who have stayed out of trouble.
What does HB908 do?
House Bill 908, co-sponsored by Rep. Smith-Wade-El, would allow certain parolees to petition the court to end their supervision once they've reached a certain age and met specific conditions.
Here’s how it works:
To qualify, the individual must:
Be at least 40 years old
Have been on parole for at least five consecutive years
The decision would be up to the original sentencing court, which would consider:
Whether the person is a public safety risk
Their conduct during and after incarceration
Any financial hardship from continuing supervision
Whether parole resources could be better used elsewhere
Restitution or court fee progress
Any other relevant factors
The process gives all stakeholders—including the Department of Corrections, the district attorney, and any victims—a chance to weigh in before a final decision is made.
Why it matters
HB908 creates a path toward freedom for people who have done their time and followed the rules. It aims to:
Reduce the burden on the parole system
Support rehabilitation and reentry
Balance public safety with personal growth
The bill would apply retroactively, meaning anyone who meets the criteria—regardless of when they were sentenced—could potentially benefit.
In Summary
Rep. Smith-Wade-El is co-sponsoring HB908, which offers early termination of parole for older individuals who have demonstrated long-term good conduct.
It provides a case-by-case process for the courts to review and decide.
The goal is to promote second chances, reduce unnecessary oversight, and use resources more efficiently.
Stay tuned for more from Lawmakers in Action, where we continue to track what your representatives are doing with the power of the pen.
About This Series
Welcome to Lawmakers in Action, a blog series from the Black Voter Outreach Network of Pennsylvania. In each installment, we shine a spotlight on legislation introduced or sponsored by lawmakers—just the facts. Our goal? Simple, but powerful, inform pennslyvanians on how their representation intends to improve their lives.
We break down:
What the bill is
What it does
Who it impacts
No spin. No endorsements. Just a closer look at how your elected officials are working on your behalf in Harrisburg.
