Harrisburg, PA (WENY)-- Governor Tom Wolf joined state legislators Wednesday to sign two bipartisan criminal justice reform Bills into law. Senate Bills 500 and 501 are part of an initiative started in 2012, known as the Justice Reinvestment Initiative, or JRI. Dubbed JRI2, these latest pieces of legislation focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

“With proper implementation, we believe this reform can work without compromising public or community safety,” says Senator Lisa Baker (R- Luzerne, Susquehanna), sponsor of Senate Bill 500.

Senate Bill 500 establishes a 19-member County Adult Probation and Parole Advisory Committee. This committee will guide counties when it comes to better assessing risks and needs of probationers. The goal is to reduce incarceration, cut costs to taxpayers, and make recommendations to allocate savings.

The other Bill, Senate Bill 501, was sponsored by Senator Tom Killion.

“Senate Bill 501 is estimated to reduce the inmate population over the next 5 years by 600 inmates, and account for a savings up to 45 million dollars,” explains Senator Killion (R- Chester, Delaware).

This Bill will streamline the placement of offenders in drug treatment programs, emphasizing rehabilitation over incarceration. It will also divert non-violent offenders with short sentences to probation and parole systems if they meet the necessary qualifications. By passing these Bills, Governor Tom Wolf says Pennsylvania is in a better place now than it was before they were signed.

“I couldn’t be prouder that we are ending this decade by signing Bills that continue our beliefs that our criminal justice system should be fair,” Governor Wolf says.

There are a few more Bills included in the JRI 2 initiative, but are still awaiting passage by the state Legislature. Lawmakers are now on break until the end of January.