From state Rep. Tom Quigley, R-146th District:

HARRISBURG — State Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) was among House members to stand in support of legislation calling for stricter rules regarding parole at a state Capitol news conference hosted Wednesday by Reps. John Perzel (R-Philadelphia), John Taylor (R-Philadelphia), and George Kenney (R-Philadelphia).

Referenced during the event was the recent death of Philadelphia Police Officer Stephen Liczbinski, whose murderers each had long criminal records.

Quigley said, "When Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says that these men should not have been out on the street, it means we are past due in overhauling the current parole system. I am in full support of the legislation that will be introduced to confront the problems inherent to the system."

Pending legislation would attack shortcomings of the parole system in the following ways:

1) Eliminating parole for any violent offender convicted of rape, robbery, murder, aggravated assault, or any crime with a gun.

2) Eliminating early release programs for offenders convicted of a violent crime or a crime involving a gun.

3) Requiring that all mandatory five year sentences for gun offenses be served consecutively and not concurrently with sentences for other crimes.

Quigley is also in favor of tougher and longer sentences being imposed on repeat violent offenders by Pennsylvania’s judges.

"The current formula of prevention and rehabilitation for criminals who are repeat offenders does not work by itself," added Quigley. "The added component of stricter penalties needs to be implemented in order to reduce the rate of recidivism."

Statistics released during the event show there are 1,331 violent fugitives unaccounted for, according to the Pennsylvania Parole Board.