Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

Costs for Pa. Prison System Are Soaring Despite Facility Closures, Putting Officials in the Hot Seat

Local NewsState prison officials want $300 million in additional taxpayer money in next year’s budget despite a declining population of incarcerated people and the closure of two facilities.

A Pa. State Prisoner Has Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Support in Compassionate Release Case

Local NewsEzra Bozeman, incarcerated in Pa. state prisons since a murder conviction in the 1970s, is quadriplegic and in need of specialized care.

State Advisory Committee Releases Plan for Historic Public Defense Money

Local NewsThe committee announced the plan for how counties of all sizes will be able to request their portion of the historic $7.5 million investment of state money.

Opioid Settlement Cash a Boon to Pa. Prosecutors, but Public Defenders Are Being Turned Away

Local NewsCounty district attorneys are in line for millions of dollars, but under-resourced public defenders say they’ve been sidelined.

Pennsylvania Provides State Money for Public Defense for the First Time

Local NewsThe state legislature approved $7.5 million for indigent defense. Until now, Pennsylvania was one of the few states to not provide state funding for public defenders.

Three Years Ago, a Police Officer Killed Christian Hall. Now, the Legislature Will Study the Role of 911 in Mental Health Emergencies

Local NewsThe study will look for ways for emergency dispatchers to send crisis responders through the 911 system in response to mental health emergencies.