City Council on Thursday unanimously approved legislation detailing a new prison oversight system and a measure designed to reduce problems associated with ‘absentee’ landlords.
Meanwhile, the sponsor of a ballot question altering Philadelphia’s resign-to-run rule moved to scrap the proposal.
Jail oversight
Voters in the May 2025 primary election OK’d the creation of the Office of Prison Oversight and the Prison Oversight Community Board, but Council needed to pass additional legislation outlining the authority and responsibilities of both entities.
The Office of Prison Oversight, a staffed city department, is tasked with investigating concerns over use of force, building conditions and inmate access to out-of-cell time, food and health care at the county jails on State Road, according to the bill passed Thursday…