Inadequacy in the Pretrial Information of Pennsylvania
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Leo Solga, a political science major at the College of Arts & Sciences, embarked on a research journey during his first year at the University of Pennsylvania as a fellowship topic. Solga's initial curiosity was sparked by magisterial district judges, the gateway to the justice system.
However, as he delved deeper into the subject, Solga found himself shifting his focus to pretrial detainees. This change was influenced by his work with State Representative Mary Jo Daley. Solga became increasingly curious about the number, crimes, and duration of pretrial detention, as well as the factors influencing cash bail.
Solga's research revealed a troubling inconsistency in the tracking and recording of statewide pretrial detention statistics. He encountered difficulties in obtaining data on pretrial detainees, and his attempts to find answers through "right-to-know" requests and emails were met with inconclusive results.
During the summer after his second year at Penn, Solga conducted extensive fieldwork. He drove around the state, speaking with judges and judicial officials, prison and jail wardens, and pretrial services directors. His findings were published in Penn Carey Law's Journal of Law & Social Change.
One of the key findings from Solga's research was the lack of comprehensive and consistent data tracking and recording for pretrial detainees in Pennsylvania. He also discovered that many magisterial district judges in the Commonwealth are elected in races that are not competitive. Interestingly, Solga found that these judges are often not lawyers.
The results of Solga's research were concerning for him. He expressed his views, stating, "The outcomes of my research on pretrial detention in Pennsylvania were pretty concerning." Solga's research was published in Penn Carey Law's Journal of Law & Social Change, shedding light on the need for improved data tracking and recording systems for pretrial detainees in the state.
Despite the challenges he faced, Solga's research serves as a valuable contribution to understanding the issues surrounding pretrial detention in Pennsylvania. His work underscores the importance of consistent data tracking and recording, particularly in the justice system, and the need for continuous efforts to improve the system.
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