Metzgar Voices Support for Prison Safety Reform

February 19, 2020

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar (R- Somerset/Bedford) today joined the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association, prison safety advocates and colleagues in the House of Representatives in demanding an immediate review of policies and programs related to prison safety reform.

“When your policies are getting people killed, when hard-working heroes like Sgt. Mark Basserman are being murdered in our corrections facilities, your policies have failed,” said Metzgar. “I implore this administration to work with us in reevaluating and reforming our policies to protect our Commonwealth’s corrections officers.”

Sgt. Mark Basserman was robbed of his life on Feb. 15, 2018, when he was fatally beaten by an inmate at State Correctional Institute-Somerset. Metzgar has since dedicated himself to working with the Department of Corrections and advocacy groups to increase safety for corrections officers and strengthen penalties against those who would seek to do them harm.

“I was immensely proud to stand with my colleagues today, advocating for the safety of these brave men and women. I hope the administration will hear our call to action and work with us to achieve significant reform.”

Metzgar’s comments can be heard at RepMetzgar.com/Video/youtube.

Representative Carl Walker Metzgar
69th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Kevin DiGuiseppe
717.260.6419 (office), 610.937.4679 (cell)
Kdiguiseppe@pahousegop.com
RepMetzgar.com