For immediate release
Date: July 24, 2008
Contact: Barbara J. Dougan (617) 543-0878 or
Monica Pratt Raffanel (678) 261-8118
BOSTON: Massachusetts members of Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) are calling Governor Patrick and their state legislators today to voice their opinion on the long-awaited criminal justice bill House Bill No. 5004, announced by the Judiciary Committee yesterday, July 23. The bill could proceed to the House floor as early as this afternoon.
FAMM supports provisions in the bill that reduce the size of school zones, eliminate the mandatory minimum sentence for first time school zone offenders, further reduce the penalty for first time school zone offenders, and make prisoners who currently are serving mandatory minimum drug sentences eligible for work release programs.
The following may be attributed to Barbara J. Dougan, Massachusetts campaign director of Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), a national, nonpartisan sentencing reform organization:
“FAMM is pleased to see progress being made to reform mandatory drug sentencing laws. Reducing the size of school zones is a significant improvement, as it addresses the disparate impact on urban residents. FAMM thanks House Speaker DiMasi and House Judiciary Chair O’Flaherty for including it in this bill.”
FAMM will continue its efforts to repeal mandatory minimum drug sentencing laws. Under our system of government, judges should have the authority to impose sentences that take into consideration the facts of a case and a defendant’s potential for rehabilitation. Moreover, cost-effective and rigorous treatment and rehabilitation programs could save the state millions in corrections costs. The public is better served when drug offenders are allowed to continue supporting their families, rather than languishing in prison for years.
Mandatory minimum reform continues to be embraced by states looking for smart and effective sentencing solutions. FAMM spearheaded a successful campaign to repeal the mandatory minimum drug sentences in Michigan, once the harshest drug laws in the nation. The repeal was supported by overwhelming bipartisan majorities in the House and Senate and signed into law in 2003 by former Governor John Engler, a conservative Republican. The change was greeted with widespread public support.
Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit organization that advocates for fair and proportionate sentences and supports efforts to provide judges with sentencing alternatives, such as treatment and drug courts, in appropriate cases.
For nmore information, visit www.famm.org or contact Monica Pratt Raffanel at monica@famm.org or Barbara J. Dougan at bdougan@famm.org.
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