Bill > SB744

This bill amends Pennsylvania's prison regulations by adding a new section that mandates the staffing of overwatch towers during inmate outdoor movement. Specifically, the bill requires that at correctional institutions with overwatch towers, corrections officers must be present in these towers when inmates are moving outside. An overwatch tower is defined as a tall building or structure, either freestanding or part of another structure, from which corrections officers can supervise inmates. The bill includes an exception for overwatch towers from which inmates cannot be effectively supervised during outdoor movement. The purpose of this legislation appears to be enhancing inmate supervision and institutional security by ensuring that elevated observation points are actively monitored during inmate movements. The new regulation will take effect 60 days after its enactment, giving correctional facilities time to adjust their staffing and operational procedures to comply with the new requirements.

Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=744