The basis for RRRI is out of provisions of Chapter 96 issued under 44 Pa.C.S. Chapter 53. It stands for "Recidivism Risk Reduction Incentive". The program is set up for an early release from prison, which includes not seeing the parole board.
The program requirements include having a non-violent criminal past, no felony drug convictions, and generally no sex crime convictions. Also, no crimes relating to section 13(a)(3)(14), or (37) of The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act (35 P. S. § 780-113(a)(14)(3) or (37)), when the sentence was imposed under 18 Pa.C.S. § 7508(a)(1)(iii), (2)(iii), (3)(iii), (4)(iii), (7)(iii) or (8)(iii) (relating to drug trafficking sentencing and penalties).
RRRI is negotiated by your Bucks County criminal lawyer prior to your court date and you agree to RRRI at your sentencing. This negotiation occurs with the prosecutor and/or the probation office (if this is for a Violation of Probation).
Here's the benefit of RRRI:
A judge sentencing an eligible offender to confinement in the Department generally is required to impose both a traditional minimum sentence and an RRRI minimum sentence equal to 3/4 of the minimum sentence if the traditional minimum sentence is 3 years or less and to 5/6 of the minimum sentence if the traditional minimum sentence is greater than 3 years.
The purpose is that you get your sentenced reduced and you are back in the community with presumptive parole. Presumptive parole means that the offender will be released at the end of the minimum sentence without having to have a Pre Parole Investigation and see the parole board.
Update: I have had some questions on this -- The minimum a person can be released on RRRI is 18 months.