Dear BBA Colleagues:
WE NEED YOUR HELP. The Massachusetts House plans to
take up Sentencing Reform tomorrow during a Democratic caucus and on Wednesday
during a full formal session. Now is the time to voice your concern as a
constituent and to emphasize that Criminal Offender Record Information ("CORI")
reform and sentencing reform must be viewed as interconnected parts of the
solution. Please contact your state representative NOW
and urge them to pass a comprehensive sentencing reform package. You can
look up your local legislator here.
Below are some helpful talking points to raise when you make the case for
comprehensive CORI and sentencing reform to your representative:
Massachusetts needs CORI Reform NOW
- Massachusetts needs CORI reform in order to successfully facilitate
reintegration of ex-offenders into productive, tax-paying members of society.
- CORI reform means increased accuracy of an individual’s CORI,
clarification of access to CORI and the ability to seal one’s record after 10
years for a felony and after 5 years for a misdemeanor
Massachusetts needs Minimum Mandatory Sentencing
Reform
- Massachusetts needs to expand parole eligibility for nonviolent drug
offenders so that prisoners convicted of certain drug offenses can apply for
parole after serving 2/3 of the minimum.
- Mandatory sentencing reform will save the Commonwealth millions and
improve public safety.
- One size fits all sentences for non-violent drug offenders do not make
sense.
Massachusetts needs a reasonable approach to Post-release
Supervision
- A system of presumptive post-release supervision for all offenders
incarcerated in state prison should be implemented because right now offenders
often are released directly to the community – with no transition period –
after serving the maximum term of their sentence.
If you have questions about this legislation, please contact Kathleen Joyce,
BBA Government Relations Director, KJoyce@bostonbar.org