Decades of research shows that promoting communication between incarcerated people and their support networks has many benefits, chief among them, improving reentry success upon release and reducing recidivism.
criminal justice
Posted inCriminal Justice
What finally put undocumented immigrant driver’s license bill in play?
THE FIRST TIME a bill was proposed in Massachusetts to let immigrants without legal status obtain a driver’s license was in 2003. Since then, bills have regularly been introduced, languished in committee, and quietly been disposed of. In February, the Massachusetts House for the first time passed a bill that would let this population get […]
Posted inOpinion
It’s time for Mass. to eliminate cash bail
MASSACHUSETTS’ INCARCERATED population has been declining for several years. As a result, we now have the lowest overall incarceration rate in the US, and the Massachusetts Department of Corrections has recently announced the closure of one of its state prisons – MCI-Cedar Junction. Although it is important to celebrate milestones like the prison closure and […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
William Allen granted parole after 28 years in jail
THE PAROLD BOARD on Wednesday granted parole to William Allen, one of two men to have his first-degree murder sentence commuted by Gov. Charlie Baker earlier this year. After spending 28 years in jail, this is the final procedural step that will let Allen go free. “The board is of the opinion that Mr. Allen […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
DOJ reaches police reform deal with Springfield
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE and city of Springfield plan to enter into a consent decree that will resolve the federal government’s claim that the Springfield Police Department’s narcotics bureau engaged in a pattern or practice of excessive force that deprived individuals of their constitutional rights. Announced Wednesday in Springfield by […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Koonce murder sentence commuted after 31 years in jail
AFTER SPENDING 31 years in jail for murder, Thomas Koonce will soon be a free man. Gov. Charlie Baker commuted Koonce’s sentence in January and on Tuesday the Parole Board granted Koonce’s petition for parole, which was the final procedural step before Koonce can be released. “After careful consideration of all relevant facts…we conclude by […]
Posted inThe Download
Changing incarceration trends lead to prison closure
The Massachusetts Department of Correction on Thursday made a surprising announcement: MCI-Cedar Junction in Walpole will stop housing prisoners over the next two years. The reason the department gave was declining numbers of inmates and increasing costs. Or, in DOC-speak, “a thorough assessment of decreased housing needs and the aging facility’s exorbitant maintenance costs.” But […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Changing incarceration trends lead to prison closure
THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT of Correction on Thursday made a surprising announcement: MCI-Cedar Junction in Walpole will stop housing prisoners over the next two years. The reason the department gave was declining numbers of inmates and increasing costs. Or, in DOC-speak, “a thorough assessment of decreased housing needs and the aging facility’s exorbitant maintenance costs.” But […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
State preparing to close down Walpole prison
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE STATE OFFICIALS plan to wind down operations at MCI-Cedar Junction in Walpole, one of the state’s oldest correctional facilities. The Department of Correction on Thursday announced a two-year, phased plan to “suspend housing operations” at the maximum-security prison, which is currently operating at 68 percent capacity with about 525 inmates. The […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Chicopee school superintendent arrested for lying about threatening messages
THE CHICOPEE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT was arrested Wednesday for sending threatening messages to a candidate for the Chicopee police chief position then lying about it to FBI investigators. Lynn Clark, 51, of Belchertown, was charged by US Attorney Rachael Rollins’s office with one count of making false statements. Clark appeared in US District Court in Springfield […]