After more than 20 years of study and advocacy on sentencing reform, the BBA
is delighted that the Massachusetts Legislature passed a comprehensive
crime bill that includes important mandatory minimum sentencing reforms. A
copy of the bill can be found here.
The bill grants parole eligibility for offenders serving at county Houses of
Correction after serving one-half of their sentence. The new law will not
guarantee that parole will be granted; that decision will be left to the Parole
Board.
The bill also includes significant changes to the Criminal Offender Record
Information (CORI) which will increase access and improve accuracy. These
changes will create opportunities for reformed offenders to obtain jobs.
Congratulations to the Conference Committee and thank you to the Chairs,
Senator Cynthia S. Creem and Representative Eugene O'Flaherty, for their
leadership on this important legislation. The bill is now on Governor
Patrick's desk awaiting action.