Criminal Justice Reform
The Massachusetts legislature took a huge step forward in creating a more fair and humane criminal justice system. Highlights include:
- repealing mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug crimes
- expungement of criminal records for minors
- CORI reform
- solitary confinement protections and programs
- juvenile justice
- bail reform
- wrongful conviction compensation
- compassionate release
- diversion (including Restorative Justice)
- reducing burdensome court fines
- prisoner medical release
- justice reinvestment
House and Senate bills will go to conference committee and will be voted on in 2018. “It is important for ORMA members to weigh in with their State Senators and State Representatives to tell them how they feel about different parts of the bill,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). Read more here.
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