Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus pushes for inmate voting

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) – State lawmakers and Centre County officials toured the Centre County Correctional Facility (CCCF) together and discussed the importance of voting access for incarcerated people.

This is part of a statewide tour being done by the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. Discussion centered on facility policies allowing individuals to vote from jail and how the duty to vote, justice, and democracy are related.

“I speak on behalf of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus when I say that we are impressed with the level of voting access that the CCCF provides,” State Rep. Aerion Abney, D-Allegheny, who is a member of the PLBC and hosted the meeting said. “When we look at the issue of voting from jail, we’re also talking about the dignity and power it can provide for the voter.”

In 2018, Centre County Correctional Facility staff, the Commissioners, and a community volunteer began the process of exploring what voting would look like in the facility,

“We know how important voting is, so we work to stay compliant with current PA election laws and regulations while ensuring all of our eligible returning citizens can receive information and education on how to register to vote and complete a mail-in ballot,” Warden Glenn Irwin, Centre County Correctional Facility said.

People serving jail time for a felony conviction cannot vote in Pennsylvania elections, but others can. Pennsylvania is one of 23 states that automatically restores voting rights for those convicted of a felony once their prison sentence is complete.

“Restoring voting rights to incarcerated people is essential for creating a just society that believes in second chances and values every citizen’s voice,” State Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila said. “Voting is a powerful tool for change, and when we exclude incarcerated people, we deny them the opportunity to participate in shaping the system that governs their lives.”

During the press conference, Krajewski added that overall less than 1,000 of the 25,000 inmates across the commonwealth vote. A number they are pushing to change.

“We estimate that fewer than 1,000 eligible voters in those jails have submitted a ballot, so that equates to about 4% turnout. We should be having people inside voting at the same rates that they are if they were to be in their community. So that is the goal that I think we’re really trying to strive for,” Krajewski said.

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Jenna Henry was once incarcerated at the facility and she says her ability to vote was a pivotal step in her rehabilitation.

“My right to vote really opened doors for me to be able to lay the foundation to change my life,” Henry said.

“Centre County’s correctional facility is a model in PA for ensuring access to the ballot for eligible voters who are inmates,” Centre County Commissioner Amber Concepcion said. “Encouraging this fundamental right of citizenship is consistent with our goal as a county of preparing returning citizens for successful reentry following their incarceration.”

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