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November 24, 2009
MA: CORI Reform and Possible Parole for People Serving Mandatory Minimums for Drug Sentences Passes in the Senate and Now Moves to the House. Your support is needed!
From the Boston Workers Alliance-
BOSTON/Beacon Hill - In the last hours of the 2009 legislative session, the Massachusetts State Senate voted to pass “An Act Relative to Sentencing Laws.” The omnibus criminal justice bill included comprehensive CORI reforms sought by a broad statewide network organized as the Commonwealth CORI Coalition (CCC). CCC is a statewide coalition of 100+ labor, community, faith, legal, youth and human service organizations committed to overcoming CORI as a discriminatory
barrier to employment.
The Senate bill adopted core elements of overlapping proposals from Governor Patrick, Mayor Menino, and Representative Malia/Senator Chandler for the Commonwealth CORI Coalition.
CORI reforms moved to reduce lengthy waiting periods to seal old records (5 years down from 10 for a misdemeanor and 10 to 15 for a felony--the CORI Coalition recommended 3 and 7 years) , and to move the criminal history question from initial job applications to the end of a hiring process. The bill also prevents the distribution of cases that were charged but dismissed or found not guilty.
In line with Governor's proposal, the bill also updates the CORI to an online system as a more accessible and accurate alternative to for-profit internet companies. The Senate bill also prohibits individuals convicted of murder, manslaughter or felony sex offenses
from sealing their records.
In addition to reforming criminal records laws, the 30-page package expands a 9 month minimum parole requirement to all returning state prisoners. The bill also allows people with non-violent drug convictions to gain parole eligibility after 2/3rds served of a mandatory minimum sentence. The 2/3rds parole eligibility was championed by Senator Creem. People will not automatically be paroled but must go in front of the Parole Board.
This parole change was championed by Families Against Mandatory Minimums of MA and passed as part of the Bill.
Here is part of FAMM's statement:
“FAMM applauds the Senate for recognizing that mandatory minimum sentencing laws are standing in the way of sensible parole policies for people convicted of non-violent drug offenses. Overly long prison sentences required by mandatory minimums undermine the deterrent effect of incarceration and waste millions of taxpayer dollars.
The bill would allow prisoners convicted of certain drug offenses to apply for parole after they serve two-thirds of the minimum state sentence or for county prisoners, half of the sentence. The bill applies to those who are currently incarcerated, as well as those sentenced in the future. "
The vote in the Senate for the Bill was 26-12 majority margin, the focus shifts back to the House of Representatives where Speaker DeLeo has signaled intentions to take up CORI reform as a first priority in the 2010 session which resumes in January.
To view the Senate bill (without final amendments) go to:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/186/st02pdf/st02201.pdf
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2. Call Your Senator (List of Senators - Yes vs. No)
Please call your Senator today. To find out who your Senator is, go to www.wheredoivotema.com and enter your address.
Then call the State House operator at (617) 722-2000 to be connected to your Senator.
Please also call Senate President Murray (617) 722-1500 to thank her for passing CORI reform.
VOTED IN FAVOR - Make a quick call to thank them for their vote!
Frederick E. Berry
Gale D. Candaras
Harriette L. Chandler
Sonia Chang-Diaz
Cynthia Stone Creem
Kenneth J. Donnelly
Benjamin B. Downing
James B. Eldridge
Jennifer L. Flanagan
Anthony D. Galluccio
Jack Hart
Patricia D. Jehlen
Brian A. Joyce
Thomas P. Kennedy
Thomas M. McGee
Joan M. Menard
Mark C. Montigny
Michael O. Moore
Robert A. O'Leary
Steven C. Panagiotakos
Anthony Petruccelli
Stanley C. Rosenberg
Karen E. Spilka
Steven A. Tolman
Susan C. Tucker
Marian Walsh
VOTED AGAINST - Make a quick call to tell them you are disappointed with their vote.
Steven A. Baddour
Stephen M. Brewer
Scott P. Brown
Stephen J. Buoniconti
Robert L. Hedlund
Michael R. Knapik
Richard T. Moore
Michael W. Morrissey
Marc R. Pacheco
Bruce E. Tarr
James E. Timilty
Richard R. Tisei
Over the legislative break, please contact your state rep and ask them to support the Bill just passed in the Senate.
Thank you!
Posted by lois at November 24, 2009 04:19 PM