A former Penn professor’s recent parole review has led to proposed legislation to reform the Pennsylvania parole system.
The proposed legislation, which would amend the Crime Victims Act of 1998, was introduced in light of the parole case of former Penn professor Rafael Robb. If passed, it would allow victims’ representatives — including their families — to testify in person before the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole in connection with an inmate’s parole application.
On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s House Judiciary Committee nearly unanimously confirmed the bill that was introduced the day before by Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery), with 24 votes for confirmation and one abstention. Vereb aims to send it to the Senate as soon as next week.
The way Robb’s near-parole played out inspired Vereb to sponsor the bill. On Nov. 26, 2007, Robb pleaded guilty to killing his wife, Ellen Gregory Robb, in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. His minimum sentence for the charge to which he pleaded guilty — “Voluntary Manslaughter – Provocation from Individual Killed” — was five years of confinement.
On Nov. 8, 2012, less than five years after he pleaded guilty, Robb received notice that he would be paroled, and his release was later scheduled for Jan. 28. The victim’s family was not informed of this decision until nearly two months after Robb received notice.
The day after a meeting between the board chair and Ellen Robb’s brother, Gary Gregory, the parole board announced that it would not release Robb until at least September of 2014.
Vereb said that if victims’ families have the opportunity to speak to the board in cases like Robb’s, then the board would not make decisions like paroling Robb in the first place.
In addition to Vereb, 59 other members of the General Assembly sponsored the bill, representing both the Democratic and Republican parties. The legislation has also garnered support from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the current Montgomery County District Attorney and the Board of Probation and Parole itself.
“We are certainly supportive of crime victims’ rights,” Sherry Tate, a spokesperson for the Board of Probation and Parole, said. “[This legislation] is something we support.”
She noted that currently there are numerous options for victims’ voices to be heard at parole hearings, including through written statements and DVD or video testimony.
Tate said that this legislation would extend the opportunities currently offered to victims by allowing for direct testimony before the parole board itself. Specifically, victims and their representatives would be permitted to testify before the board officers who would be later making the decisions regarding the application.
According to a press release from Vereb’s office, the legislation is intended to clarify that “the decisions for victims or their representatives to appear before and be heard by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole is up to them, not the board.”
Montgomery Commissioner Bruce Castor, who was the district attorney that prosecuted the case against Robb, has also shown support for the proposed legislation.
Castor agreed with Vereb that government tends to spend a lot of time on defendant’s rights and that “it is good that this legislation will be focusing on the victims.”
Vereb said that the amendment would “give the same rights the criminals have to the victims,” and that it would “put a face with the crime” when the parole board was reviewing applications.
In a press relese, Vereb said, “Victims, your voice is coming soon.”
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.