Pennsylvania
The U.S. Census Bureau counts incarcerated people where they are confined not where they are from. Using these counts to draw state and local legislative districts enhances the weight of a vote cast by people who live near prisons at the expense of everyone else in the state or county.
Pennsylvania's redistricting commission took steps to address prison gerrymandering when it redrew state legislative lines after the 2020 Census, but it did not permanently solve the problem.
Pending legislation
- HB 940 An act... "providing for residence of incarcerated individuals", introduced by Representatives McClinton, Schlossberg, Millard, Hill-Evans, Kinsey, Burgos, Bullock, Warren, Neilson, Fiedler, Kenyatta,Youngblood, Irvin, and Webster, March 25, 2019.
Organizations in Pennsylvania
It's impossible for us to include everyone who is working toward fair districting in Pennsylvania, but if you are looking to get involved, these are some of the people and organizations you might want to contact first:
More Information
- Fixing prison-based gerrymandering after the 2010 Census: Pennsylvania - background information on prison-based gerrymandering in Pennsylvania.
- Importing Constituents: Prisoners and Political Clout in Pennsylvania, by Peter Wagner and Elena Lavarreda, June 26, 2009
Press Coverage
- Pa. commission votes to scale back ‘prison gerrymandering’ reform made last month By Katie Meyer, WHYY-FM, September 21, 2021
- Pa. ends ‘prison gerrymandering’ with closely divided committee vote By Katie Meyer, WHYY-FM, August 24, 2021
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Report: Census Prisoner Count Dilutes Urban Political Clout By Amaris Elliott-Engel, The Legal Intelligencer, June 26, 2009 
Prison-based gerrymandering should be abolished, The Daily Review editorial, (Towanda, PA), August 7, 2010
Prison-based gerrymandering should be abolishedRecommended Reading:
About the Prison Policy Initiative
Learn more about the organization behind the Prison Gerrymandering Project.
The Racial Geography of Mass Incarceration
The transfer of Black and Latino incarcerated people to communities very different than their own is a nationwide problem.
Are legislative maps hurting prison reforms?
Pam Adams explains how in her downstate Illinois column.
Do prisons draw in Census money for their host communities? No.
We explain that prison gerrymandering is bad for democracy but federal & state aid are not impacted.
Events
- September 30 - October 2:
Research Director Wendy Sawyer and Advocacy Director Naila Awan will be at the FreeHer conference in Detroit from September 30 - October 2. Contact us if you would like to meet.
Not near you?
Invite us to your city, college or organization.