§ 4504. Recidivism risk reduction incentive programs.
(a) Authorization.--Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the department may create or otherwise
designate treatment or other programs as recidivism risk reduction incentive programs.
(b) Intent.--This chapter is intended to encourage eligible offenders committed to the custody
of the department to participate in and successfully complete evidence-based programs
under this chapter that reduce the likelihood of recidivism and improve public safety.
(c) Program requirements.--In accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the department may designate a
treatment program or other program as a recidivism risk reduction incentive program
if there is appropriate scientific research that demonstrates that the proposed program
would likely reduce overall recidivism rates or serious crime rates of program participants.
A recidivism risk reduction incentive program designed to provide treatment in the
form of a therapeutic community for drug abuse or addiction shall meet the requirements
of an institutional therapeutic community as defined under section 4103 (relating
to definitions).
(d) Consultation.--The department shall consult with appropriate research and technical assistance organizations,
such as the National Institute of Justice, the National Institute of Corrections and
the American Correctional Association concerning evidence-based programs that reduce
recidivism risks of inmates and the scientific research relating to those programs.
(e) Program approval process.--
(1) The department shall publish, in a manner reasonably calculated to inform, a detailed
description of the program, the types of inmates who will be eligible to participate
in the program, the name and citation of research reports that demonstrate the effectiveness
of the proposed program and the name and address of a department contact person responsible
for receiving public comments. On the same date as publication, the department shall
also deliver a copy of the list to the Judiciary Committee of the Senate, the Judiciary
Committee of the House of Representatives, the board, the commission and the victim
advocate.
(2) Upon consideration of the public comments and the expiration of at least 60 days from
the date of publication required under paragraph (1), the department may designate
any program published as approved for inclusion in the recidivism risk reduction incentive
program.
Notes of Decisions
Commonwealth v. Cullen-Doyle, S., Aplt., 164 A.3d 1239 (Pa. 2017).
· cites it 2× “” 61 Pa.C.S. §4504(b).3 Although the enactment does not contain any language expressly relating to first-time offenders or penalizing recidivism as such, a commonly accepted corollary to the Act’s express purpose of reducing recidivism is that first-time offenders are usually…”
Com. v. Bradley, P., 237 A.3d 1131 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020).
“(quoting 61 Pa.C.S. § 4504(b)). The Court acknowledged that, [a]lthough the enactment does not contain any language expressly relating to first-time offenders or penalizing recidivism as such, a commonly accepted corollary to the Act’s express purpose of reducing recidivism is…”
Com. v. Martell, M. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
“The trial court found Appellant to be eligible for a reduced sentence under the Recidivist Risk Reduction Incentive Program, 61 Pa.C.S. § 4504, thereby reducing Appellant’s minimum sentence to nine months’ incarceration.”
Com. v. Haynick, M., Sr. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
“In this light, the Court concluded that the General Assembly “sought to offer greater reform opportunities for first-time offenders than repeat offenders.”
Com. v. Finnecy, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2019).
“The Court acknowledged that a “commonly accepted corollary to the Act’s express purpose of reducing recidivism is that first-time offenders are usually more amenable to reform than inmates who have persisted in criminal conduct.”
Com. v. Ritter, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2019).
“It also found him eligible for a reduced minimum sentence pursuant to the Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive (RRRI) program, 61 Pa.C.S. §§ 4504- ____________________________________ * Retired Senior Judge assigned to the Superior Court.”
Com. v. Henck, A., 2025 Pa. Super. 158 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2025).
“Appellant was not eligible for a reduced sentence pursuant to the Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive Act (“RRRI”), 61 Pa.C.S. § 4504. Id. Based upon Appellant’s criminal record, the Commonwealth argued for a sentence “in the high end” of the standard range of the sentencing…”
— 61 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 4504(b) — 4 cases
Commonwealth v. Cullen-Doyle, S., Aplt., 164 A.3d 1239 (Pa. 2017).
“” 61 Pa.C.S. §4504(b).3 Although the enactment does not contain any language expressly relating to first-time offenders or penalizing recidivism as such, a commonly accepted corollary to the Act’s express purpose of reducing recidivism is that first-time offenders are usually…”
Com. v. Bradley, P., 237 A.3d 1131 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020).
“(quoting 61 Pa.C.S. § 4504(b)). The Court acknowledged that, [a]lthough the enactment does not contain any language expressly relating to first-time offenders or penalizing recidivism as such, a commonly accepted corollary to the Act’s express purpose of reducing recidivism is…”
Com. v. Haynick, M., Sr. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
“In this light, the Court concluded that the General Assembly “sought to offer greater reform opportunities for first-time offenders than repeat offenders.”
Com. v. Finnecy, J. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2019).
“The Court acknowledged that a “commonly accepted corollary to the Act’s express purpose of reducing recidivism is that first-time offenders are usually more amenable to reform than inmates who have persisted in criminal conduct.”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the
Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and
treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.