How Long Can a PO Hold Up a Prison Release in Pennsylvania?
My brother was supposed to be released on 12/15/15. He had a probation or parole violation. He left the state of PA for work. He has not yet been released. He said the PO has to lift the warrant and inspect his house. How long can this take? Is there a time limit for this to be done? He has a job to go back to and a house. He may lose it all if he is not released soon. This is in De County Prison in Pa. The PO will not return my calls. What can I do for him? Who can I contact?Thank you.
There is no legally mandated deadline for how quickly a parole officer has to act in this situation, and that is genuinely frustrating when someone is sitting past their release date with a job and housing on the line. POs carry large caseloads and are not always responsive, especially to family members calling from the outside.
That said, there are steps worth taking. Calling the PO repeatedly and pushing hard can sometimes backfire and slow things down further, so be measured about that approach. Instead, try escalating to the PO's supervisor. Every probation and parole office has a chain of command. Call the Delaware County Probation and Parole office directly, ask to speak with a supervisor, explain the situation calmly and factually, and document every call with the date, time, and name of whoever you spoke to.
If your brother has an attorney, even the one from his original case, this is the moment to reach out. An attorney can contact the PO or the court directly in ways that carry more weight than a family member calling. If he does not have one, a call to the Delaware County public defender's office explaining the situation is worth trying.
It also helps to have the home inspection ready to happen at a moment's notice. If there is anything at the house that could cause a delay or a problem, address it now. The faster the inspection can be cleared once the PO does act, the better.
His job and housing situation are real leverage points worth mentioning in any communication with the PO's office. Put it in writing if possible.
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