Protesters urge legislature to end mandatory life sentences

A landmark Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on March 26, 2026, determined that mandatory life without parole sentences for second-degree felony murder violate the Pennsylvania state constitution as well as the Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

In Pennsylvania, more than 1,000 aging people, at least one 90 years old, are serving these unconstitutional, cruel sentences. The court gave the state legislature 120 days to fix this, but their inaction is blocking justice.

Dozens of people rallied and spoke out at City Hall in Philadelphia on April 29 on behalf of their sons, aunts, fathers and others still unjustly condemned to death by incarceration. They urged the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to pass enabling legislation (HB 443) that would allow as many prisoners as possible to apply for parole under this decision.

The clock is ticking. Delay can mean death for an unjustly incarcerated person.