Dear BBA Colleagues:
WE NEED YOUR HELP. For more than 20 years the BBA has
sponsored and encouraged thoughtful study of our criminal justice system, while
Massachusetts has continued to incarcerate an ever-increasing percentage of its
population without considering the effectiveness of mandatory minimum sentences,
the post-incarceration needs of ex-offenders, and community
safety.
Late last year, the Massachusetts Senate passed a
combination of Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and sentencing reform
legislation, including provisions for post-release supervision. We are
hopeful that the Massachusetts House will take favorable action on both aspects
of this legislation because CORI reform alone is not enough. A
comprehensive bill would accomplish cost-effective changes in our criminal
justice system, enhance public safety, and facilitate offender re-entry and
employment. This will also preserve scarce judicial and correctional
resources for the most serious offenders.
The Commonwealth is now
experiencing the most severe fiscal crisis in decades. We urge the
Legislature to take this opportunity to enact responsible sentencing and CORI
reform. Simply put, every offender who makes a successful return to the
community as a result of these measures will be one less financial burden to the
taxpayers of this state.
Please contact your state representative and
urge passage of a comprehensive bill that makes meaningful changes to both our
CORI and sentencing laws. You can look up your local legislator
here.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
John J. Regan
President, Boston Bar Association