January 24 - FAMM applauds Gov. Patrick for insistence on mandatory minimum sentencing reforms
FAMM applauds Gov. Deval Patrick’s insistence that any sentencing reform bill sent to him by the Legislature must include reforms to the state’s failed mandatory minimum drug sentencing laws. He called for a crime bill that is both “strong and smart.” Read our statement
January 19 – House to consider second sentencing bill!
The state House of Representatives is expected to debate and vote on a second sentencing bill. The first bill that the House passed in November only addressed habitual offenders. We don’t yet know what will be in the second House bill. And we don’t know how soon it will be released – although it could be as early as next week. But we do know what we want – mandatory minimum reforms! Click here to take action.
January 11 - Tell the Governor what we want!
The Massachusetts Legislature is back from its holiday break and a conference committee is back at work on a sentencing bill. That means it’s time to get back to the fight for sentencing justice. FAMM members wrote to their legislators by the hundreds in December. Now it’s time to turn our attention to Gov. Deval Patrick. Click here to tell the Governor that we need him to work with the conference committee to get the best possible bill. He needs to urge them to keep mandatory minimum reforms and to reject an overly broad habitual offender law in the final bill.
2011
December 22 - Understanding the Habitual Offender bills
Much has been written about the Legislature’s efforts to finalize an habitual offender bill. Here are the basics on what the House and Senate bills would do, the main problems and proposed solutions. The Senate bill contained several other issues besides the habitual offender law, including reforms to mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders. See the other side for more information on drug sentencing reforms. Download our fact sheet
December 15 - Conference committee bill - last chance for reform this session!
We have reached a critical point in our campaign for sentencing reform during this legislative session. A conference committee started work this month on a final sentencing bill. We need your help to get the best possible bill from the committee. We need a bill that keeps the mandatory minimum reforms that are in the Senate bill. But we also need a bill that rejects plans to treat nonviolent drug offenders as habitual offenders – with maximum sentences – as the House bill does. Read more and act!
November 16 – House bill passes, only issue is habitual offenders
On November 16, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a bill that only addresses habitual offenders. We will post a link to the bill when it becomes available. The House did not vote on mandatory minimums or any of the other issues included in the Senate’s sentencing bill. The House and Senate now need to agree on a compromise version. Read more.
November 10 – Senate bill passes, some changes to mandatory minimums
On November 10, the Massachusetts Senate passed a sentencing bill that would allow some (but not all) drug offenders who are currently serving mandatory minimums to become eligible for parole, work release and earned good time. The bill is not yet a new law. Read more.
September 20 – What a day for sentencing reform!
FAMM played a triple header today and scored big in all three – the Judiciary Committee’s public hearing, the release of a new report, and videotaped statements by our members. Click here to read about FAMM’s testimony, get a copy of “Voices for Reform,” and learn more about our “Why I Care” video project.
August 19 – FAMM weighs in on Parole Board issues
FAMM’s Massachusetts Project has been following closely the dropping parole rates under the new Parole Board. Last week, FAMM and several other legal advocacy groups sent a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick expressing our concerns. We said that the new Parole Board members seem to be undermining the 2010 reforms for county prisoners serving mandatory minimums as well as his current bill to expand parole eligibility to drug offenders in state prison. Read more
June 24, 2011 – FAMM supports bill for a prison oversight commission
On June 24, FAMM submitted testimony to the Legislature’s Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security in support of H.1559, a bill to create a Massachusetts Correction Commission. The commission’s duties would include studying the medical services and educational, vocational, employment and rehabilitation programs available to prisoners, recommending alternative sentencing methods, providing public education on corrections and criminal justice issues, and holding public hearings twice a year.
June 22, 2011 – Father’s Day & dads behind bars
On Father’s Day, we send best wishes to all the dads among our Massachusetts members – and especially to those who are incarcerated. FAMM salutes the men who work hard to maintain healthy and loving relationships with their children under the most challenging of circumstances. We asked a few of them to share their thoughts. Click here to read more, including how you can help them get the chance to come home sooner.
June 3, 2011 – FAMM supports budget proposal to create Criminal Justice Commission
FAMM joined the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Boston Bar Association and the Committee for Public Counsel Services in supporting a section of the Senate’s budget bill that would create a Criminal Justice Commission. The commission would be charged with developing “bipartisan legislation that would reduce corrections spending and utilize the savings to reduce crime, strengthen public safety and fund other budget priorities.” A conference committee is currently ironing out the differences between the House and Senate budget bills. We will let you know if the final budget for fiscal year 2012 includes this proposal and if it does, what it says.
April 28, 2011 – Prison closing rumors
FAMM’s Massachusetts Project has been hearing lots of rumors about prison closings. But so far, nothing has been decided. Read more.
April 10, 2011 – Impact of crack in Boston
FAMM Project Director Barb Dougan was a panelist at a community forum, “25 Years After Crack: The effect of crack cocaine on Boston’s Black Community (1986 - 2011).” She traced the history of federal drug sentencing laws, which punished crack cocaine offenders far more harshly than powder cocaine offenders until Congress passed the Fair Sentencing Act in 2010. Both the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald covered the event. Fortunately, Massachusetts’ drug sentencing laws do not distinguish between crack and powder cocaine.
March 23, 2011 – Bills are posted, now let’s get them passed!
The long wait is over! The two bills that FAMM drafted are now posted on the state Legislature’s website. FAMM’s Massachusetts members did an outstanding job of contacting their legislators and asking them to co-sponsor our bills. But now the real work begins. Read more.
March 16, 2011 – FAMM testifies against habitual offender bills
FAMM’s Massachusetts director, Barbara Dougan, testified before the legislature’s Judiciary Committee, opposing three bills that would change the state’s habitual offender law. All three bills go against what FAMM stands for – that drug offenders should receive sentences that fit their crimes, based on their role in the offense, prior criminal history and any need for treatment. If the Legislature intends to keep dangerous repeat offenders off the streets, then any such bill should do just that and no more. Click here to read more.
January 26, 2011 – Wow! Governor calls for repeal of many mandatory drug sentences!
Today Gov. Deval Patrick filed a bill, H.40, that includes ground-breaking drug sentencing reforms. Indeed, the Governor called for the repeal of most mandatory minimums for nonviolent drug offenses! His bill would also allow drug offenders serving mandatory sentences in state prisons to be eligible for parole after serving half of their sentences. This is a terrific development in our campaign for sentencing justice. Read more
January 21, 2011 - Governor’s new parole bill
Many Massachusetts FAMM members have asked about the parole bill recently filed by Governor Patrick. As you know, the Governor’s bill is in response to the parolee who shot and killed a Woburn police officer during an armed robbery. The parolee, who was also killed, had been sentenced to three life sentences for violent crimes. The bill is not about drug sentencing laws so it doesn’t propose any changes to mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders. Instead, it focuses on parole for “lifers” and the state’s habitual offender law. The Governor is expected to file a separate bill that will address mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses. Read more
Aug. 6, 2010 - Mass. governor signs sentencing reform law
Today, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law limited but promising reform of the state’s harsh mandatory minimum sentencing laws for drug offenses. This is the first time that the Legislature has moved to ease rigid drug sentencing laws since the laws were first enacted nearly 30 years ago. Click here to read Gov. Patrick's official press release and FAMM's press release.
Aug. 1, 2010 - Massachusetts sentencing reform bill passes!
Last night the state House of Representatives and Senate voted in favor of the conference committee's crime bill, S.2583. Governor Deval Patrick is expected to sign the bill into law within the next 10 days. The new law will not take effect for another 90 days. Thank you, Massachusetts FAMM members, for making this historic moment happen. This is the first time that the Massachusetts legislature has loosened harsh drug sentencing laws since they were passed in the 1980's. We couldn't have done it without your letters, emails and phone calls to lawmakers - and your constant support and involvement. Although the bill did not include important reforms that FAMM supports, we are finally headed in the right direction. Read more
Due to popular demand, we have kept three older items that celebrate the love and commitment of FAMM’s Massachusetts members for their incarcerated loved ones.
Valentine’s Day 2009 – Valentine's Day messages from FAMM members
Four Massachusetts members shared special messages with FAMM that help remind us of the power of love and family, and that Valentine’s Day is about much more than flowers and chocolates. Click here to read the moving stories of our FAMM members.
Mother’s Day 2008 – Mothers in Massachusetts speak out
Four FAMM mothers talk about their incarcerated sons and their work to change mandatory minimum sentencing laws. Read their inspiring remarks.
Father’s Day 2008 – FAMM fathers show their support
We honor three men who steadfastly support their incarcerated family members. Read more about them.