Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-92
Section 6173 - Investigation of circumstances of offense(a) Duty to investigate.--The department, upon the commitment to a correctional facility of any offender whom the board is given the power to parole, shall investigate and include in its report to the board:(1) The nature and circumstances of the offense committed.(2) Any recommendations made by the trial judge and prosecuting attorney.(3) The general character and background of the offender.(4) Participation by an offender sentenced after February 19, 1999, and who is serving a sentence for a crime of violence in a victim impact education program offered by the department.(5) The written or personal statement of the testimony of the victim or the victim's family submitted under section 6140 (relating to victim statements, testimony and participation in hearing).(6) The notes of testimony of the sentencing hearing, if any, together with such additional information regarding the nature and circumstances of the offense committed for which sentence was imposed as may be available.(7) The conduct of the offender while in prison and the offender's physical, mental and behavioral condition and history, in addition to history of family violence and complete criminal record.(b) Cooperation of public officials.--A public official who possesses offender records or information shall furnish the records or information to the department upon request and without charge so far as may be practicable while the case is recent.(c) Duty to transmit.--A court sentencing any offender to a term as to which power to parole is given to the board in this chapter shall transmit to the department, within 30 days after the imposition of the sentence:(1) A copy of the notes of testimony of the sentencing hearing that may have been filed or recorded in the case.(2) Copies of any criminal identification records secured from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.(3) Copies of presentence investigation reports and behavior clinic reports, if any were submitted to the court, the last two of which records, being confidential records of the court, shall be treated confidentially by the department, who shall not permit examination of the records by anyone other than its duly appointed officers and employees and the board and its officers and employees, except upon court order.Added by P.L. TBD 2021 No. 59, § 24, eff. 6/30/2021.