Harrisburg, PA (WENY)-- National advocates for probation reform met in the Pennsylvania Capitol recently to continue pushing for what they call “common sense” probation laws. Governor Tom Wolf and state lawmakers joined them, calling on the Legislature to address the issue.

Probation reform has been a hot topic in Harrisburg, especially during the past six months. But since action has yet to be taken, national advocates and the Governor of Pennsylvania are starting to weigh in.

“Probation was started and exists to assist Pennsylvanians with creating stability in their lives. Instead, our excessively long sentences and cumbersome rules are causing Pennsylvanians to lose their jobs,” Governor Wolf says.

Pennsylvania is one of eight states where probation can last up to the maximum sentence of an offense. Lawmakers in favor of reform say the state needs to implement hard caps on the length of probation, and stop returning people to jail for minor probation offenses like missing an appointment. Some are also pushing for different action when a failed drug test occurs, such as linking that person to treatment instead of sending them back behind bars. Governor Wolf says probation rates are going up while crime rates are going down.

“1 in 35 adults in Pennsylvania is under some form of supervision. That statistic grew in Pennsylvania while our crime rate decreased. That’s simply not right,” says Governor Wolf.

Safe Streets & Second Chances is a program implemented by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections last year. It’s a reentry initiative aimed at reducing recidivism by focusing on the formerly incarcerated person’s strengths and mental well-being, rather than the usual deficit-focused models. Advocates with the program say research shows this focus is the best way to make sure everyone is safe.

“We must particularly focus on second chances. Rehabilitation, redemption, and restoration, and that’s really important. It’s what makes communities and families better, safer, and stronger,” says Mark Holden, Advisory Council Chair for Safe Streets & Second Chances.

Bipartisan legislation addressing probation reform was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Delaware, Philadelphia) and Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R- Beaver, Greene, Washington) back in January, but Senate Bill 14 been sitting in the Senate Judiciary committee since then.