§ 9756 — Sentence of total confinement

Pennsylvania § 9756

• Jurisdiction: Pennsylvania
• Title 42: JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
• Part: PART VIII
• Ch. 97: SENTENCING
• Subch.: IMPOSITION OF SENTENCE

Text

(a) General rule.--In imposing a sentence of total confinement the court shall at the time of sentencing specify any maximum period up to the limit authorized by law and whether the sentence shall commence in a correctional or other appropriate institution.

(b) Minimum sentence.--

(1) The court shall impose a minimum sentence of confinement which shall not exceed one-half of the maximum sentence imposed.

(2) The minimum sentence imposed under this section may not be reduced through parole prior to the expiration of the minimum sentence unless otherwise authorized by this section or other law.

(3) Except where the maximum sentence imposed is two years or more, and except where a mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment or total confinement is required by law, the court shall, at the time of sentencing, state whether or not the defendant is eligible to participate in a reentry plan at any time prior to the expiration of the minimum sentence or at the expiration of a specified portion of the minimum sentence. For maximum sentences of less than two years as defined under section 9762(f) (relating to sentencing proceeding; place of confinement), a court may parole a defendant prior to the expiration of the minimum sentence only if the defendant was made eligible to participate in a reentry plan at the time of sentencing. The court shall provide at least ten days' written notice and an opportunity to be heard, pursuant to section 9776 (relating to judicial power to release inmates), to the prosecuting attorney before granting parole pursuant to this subsection. The reentry plan eligibility shall be considered a part of the sentence and subject to the requirements relating to the entry, recording and reporting of sentences.

(b.1) Recidivism risk reduction incentive minimum sentence.--The court shall determine if the defendant is eligible for a recidivism risk reduction incentive minimum sentence under 61 Pa.C.S. Ch. 45 (relating to recidivism risk reduction incentive). If the defendant is eligible, the court shall impose a recidivism risk reduction incentive minimum sentence in addition to a minimum sentence and maximum sentence except, if the defendant was previously sentenced to two or more recidivism risk reduction incentive minimum sentences, the court shall have the discretion to impose a sentence with no recidivism risk reduction incentive minimum.

(c) Prohibition of parole for summary offenses.--The court may impose a sentence to imprisonment without the right to parole under this subsection only when:

(1) a summary offense is charged;

(2) sentence is imposed for nonpayment of fines or costs, or both, in which case the sentence shall specify the number of days to be served; and

(3) the maximum term or terms of imprisonment imposed on one or more indictments to run consecutively or concurrently total less than 30 days.

(c.1) Sentence of total confinement combined with probation.--The court may impose a sentence of imprisonment without parole under this subsection only when:

(1) the period of total confinement is followed immediately by restrictive conditions of probation imposed pursuant to section 9763(c) or (d) (relating to conditions of probation) in which case the sentence of total confinement shall specify the number of days of total confinement also to be served; and

(2) the maximum sentence of total confinement imposed on one or more indictments to run consecutively or concurrently total 90 days or less.

(c.2) Determinate sentence.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a court may impose a determinate sentence under 75 Pa.C.S. (relating to vehicles) where the violation is graded as a summary offense and the maximum sentence of total confinement is 90 days or less. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to preclude an otherwise eligible defendant from work release or prevent a court from sentencing a defendant to probation, including the restrictive conditions of probation imposed under section 9763(c).

(d) Prisoner release plans.--This section shall not be interpreted as limiting the authority of the court as set forth in section 9755.1 (relating to temporary release from county correctional institution).

(e) Definitions.--As used in this section, the term "reentry plan" is a release plan that may include drug and alcohol treatment, behavioral health treatment, job training, skills training, education, life skills or any other condition deemed relevant by the court.

Legislative History

(Dec. 20, 1982, P.L.1409, No.326, eff. 60 days; June 22, 2000, P.L.345, No.41, eff. 60 days; Nov. 19, 2004, P.L.855, No.112, eff. 180 days; Sept. 25, 2008, P.L.1026, No.81, eff. 60 days; Aug. 11, 2009, P.L.147, No.33, eff. 60 days; July 5, 2012, P.L.1050, No.122, eff. July 1, 2013; Dec. 18, 2019, P.L.776, No.115, eff. imd.; Dec. 22, 2025, P.L.363, No.58, eff. imd.) 2025 Amendment.Act 58 added subsec. (c.2). See section 8 of Act 58 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to findings and declarations. 2019 Amendment.Act 115 amended subsec. (c.1). 2012 Amendment.Act 122 amended subsec. (d). 2009 Amendment.Act 33 amended subsecs. (b), (b.1) and (e). 2000 Amendment.Act 41 amended subsec. (c) and added subsec. (c.1). Cross References.Section 9756 is referred to in sections 2154, 9721 of this title; sections 6137.1, 6137.2 of Title 61 (Prisons and Parole).