Massachusetts
11/12/07
Families urge lawmakers to correct sentencing injustices at Joint Judiciary committee hearing on mandatory minimum sentencing bills
Click here to read FAMM's press release on the hearing.
10/13/07
Massachusetts Joint Judiciary committee hearing on Nov. 13, 2007
The Massachusetts Joint Judiciary committee has rescheduled the hearing on the mandatory sentencing reform bills. The hearing is now scheduled for November 13. More details to follow.
Concerned about a loved one in prison? Join Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) members in Boston on Nov. 13 to urge legislators to reform Massachusetts' mandatory minimum drug laws. Read more
8/1/07
Mandatory minimum sentences are endangering public safety
A fact sheet by Peter Elikann
5/07
S. 884 - a fiscally sound, "smart on crime" bill
Download FAMM's fact sheet on Sen. Cynthia Creem's bill
5/18/07
Action alert: Time for reform in Massachusetts
Thanks to our members in Massachusetts who attended the hearing at the State House in Boston on May 16! Read more
5/10/07
Press release: FAMM applauds Massachusetts Governor Patrick, Senate President Murray and Speaker DiMasi for their principled stand on mandatory sentencing reform
5/7/07
Action alert: Show your support for Massachusetts sentencing reform!
Attend hearing on May 16, 2007 at State House. Read action alert
4/15/07
Mass: Changes weighed on prison sentences
Boston Globe
Governor Deval Patrick has launched a comprehensive review of the state's mandatory sentencing laws, an effort endorsed by the attorney general and the chief justice of the state trial courts to help stop the "revolving door" in the state's prison system.
"People come out more dangerous than when they went in," Patrick told the Globe last week, explaining his administration's focus on fundamentally changing the philosophy of the criminal justice system.
Administration officials say that the mandatory minimum sentences, which eliminate judges' discretion in certain cases, drive up the cost of corrections and make it less likely that prisoners will participate in programs that could help them reenter society when they are released. Read more
1/4/07
New Governor calls for sentencing and CORI reform
In an inspiring inauguration speech, newly elected Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick called for changes in the state's sentencing and criminal offender record information (CORI) policies. Although support has been show for both mandatory sentencing and CORI reform among the state's elected officials, reform bills have stalled in the legislature year after year.
Governor Patrick's speech gives FAMM and other allies of reform hope that progress will be made on these issues.
Said Governor Patrick, "I know we can have safer neighborhoods. But it will take more community-based patrols, after-school and enrichment programs, summer job and volunteer opportunities for young people, training and pre-release preparation for inmates, and sensible reform of both CORI and sentencing. Let’s reach for that.
We know what to do. We know that our challenges were long in the making and will require long-term solutions. We know what to reach for. And we ought to know that either we invest today or we will surely pay excessively tomorrow. An investment in education today beats an investment in prisons tomorrow. We know that. Let's reach for that.
Quick fixes, gimmicks and sound bites are not enough. That’s not in the spirit of what built this country. That is not what cleared the forest and planted New England’s earliest farms. It’s not what inspired our great universities and museums. It’s not what created the boom in textile manufacturing in its time or a flourishing biotech industry today. It’s not what freed the colonies from oppression or the slaves from bondage or women from second class citizenship." Read full speech.
8/31/06
Reform fails, but advocates win
Despite a spirited campaign by FAMM members and a large, energetic coalition of dozens of other criminal justice reform groups, the Massachusetts legislature failed to pass the Public Safety Act (PSA) and S.929. The bills included parole eligibility for individuals convicted of drug offenses after they serve two-thirds of their maximum sentences, as well as reform of the availability of criminal record information to potential employers and landlords.
Regardless of the legislative outcome, advocates were bouyed by the momentum they built and making their voices heard. Many wrote letters, called, emailed and met with legislators in support of reform at the State House and in the legislator's district offices.
Advocacy efforts received overwhelming support in the Senate, where reform efforts were spearheaded by Senator Robert S. Creedon and Senator Dianne Wilkerson, who were joined by seven additional cosponsors and Senators Cynthia Cree, Robert O'Leary and Robert Tisei. Additionally, 29 out of 40 senators went on record in favor of mandatory minimum sentencing reform in a role call vote that was added to an amendment to the senate budget.
While the House was more cautious, it agreed to form a commission to study the issue and release new legislation in December for the next legislative session. Advocates are encouraged to prepare in advance for the renewed fight in December that will build on the progress made earlier this year.