THE CONVICTION OF Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd Jr. was a wakeup call and a vindication for the nation on a small level. Yet, as a professional […]
criminal justice
Posted inCriminal Justice
We need a new post-pandemic ‘normal’
AFTER MORE THAN a year of restrictions, Massachusetts is returning to something like normal. But the pandemic has made it painfully clear that, for many people, “normal” was never just […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
SJC justices skeptical of requiring more COVID testing in jails
SEVERAL JUSTICES of the Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday appeared skeptical of claims that county jails are showing deliberate indifference to prisoners by failing to provide regular COVID-19 testing and, in some cases, appropriate videoconferencing opportunities. Justice […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Appeals Court rejects White petition, clearing way for Janey to fire him
A STATE APPEALS COURT judge on Thursday afternoon turned down Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White’s effort to block the city from proceeding with efforts to fire him because of allegations […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Judge stays her order on Boston police commissioner
Not so fast. Any plans Boston Acting Mayor Kim Janey may have had to move swiftly to fire embattled Police Commissioner Dennis White following a court ruling in her favor […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Judge sides with city and denies White’s bid to block firing
A SUFFOLK SUPERIOR COURT judge on Tuesday denied a motion by Boston Police Commissioner Dennis White for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to block his dismissal. Acting Mayor […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics
Judge sounds skeptical of call to block Boston police commissioner firing
EMBATTLED BOSTON POLICE COMMISSIONER Dennis White went to court on Thursday seeking to block his dismissal by Acting Mayor Kim Janey, but a Suffolk Superior Court judge indicated she was wary […]
Posted inState House News Service, The Download
Berkshire DA under fire for dangerousness hearings
Two years ago, shortly after she was elected district attorney in Berkshire County, Andrea Harrington said she was going to sharply curtail the use of cash bail. “A cash bail […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Berkshire DA under fire for dangerousness hearings
TWO YEARS AGO, shortly after she was elected district attorney in Berkshire County, Andrea Harrington said she was going to sharply curtail the use of cash bail. “A cash bail […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
SJC to correction officials: Act faster on medical parole
THE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT on Wednesday made two rulings that will require the Department of Correction to act more quickly on medical parole cases under certain circumstances. The court invalidated […]
Posted inOpinion
3 steps toward racially just policing
THE GUILTY VERDICT in the trial of Derek Chauvin does not put an end to the long and difficult struggle for racially just policing. Officers continue to kill people with […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
There should be no slowdown on police reform
IS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION going slow on police reform? Recently, the White House announced it is putting on hold the formation of a national commission on this critical matter. “Based on close, […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Race/Racism
SJC to consider police use of ‘gang member’ designation
AMID GROWING NATIONAL AWARENESS of the problems of racially biased policing, the Supreme Judicial Court will have a chance to weigh in on a tactic that is increasingly drawing scrutiny: the […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
After ruling, Rollins pledges review of Gaines case
SUFFOLK COUNTY District Attorney Rachael Rollins, who fought against the release of convicted murderer Raymond Gaines, now says her office is reviewing his case after a judge ordered Gaines’s release amid new evidence that casts […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Convicted murderer Raymond Gaines freed after 46 years amid new evidence
NEARLY 46 YEARS after Raymond Gaines was sent to prison for murder, a Suffolk Superior Court judge on Wednesday ordered his release after new evidence raised questions about his guilt, […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Baker proposes new seatbelt, traffic camera law
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Monday proposed a slew of changes to improve road safety, including enhancing penalties for injuring someone while driving with a suspended license, letting municipalities install red light […]
Posted inOpinion
College, sheriff team up to reduce recidivism
THE UNITED STATES puts more of our citizens in jail than any other country on the planet. While we have only 5 percent of the world’s total population, we have […]
Posted inThe Download
Under federal law, it can pay to read your bills closely
The $2.6 million settlement the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary agreed to earlier this week with the US Justice Department started out with a single customer who believed he was […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Under federal law, it can pay to read your bills closely
THE $2.6 MILLION settlement the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary agreed to earlier this week with the US Justice Department started out with a single customer who believed he was […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Downing opposes new prison for women
DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL candidate Ben Downing said the Baker administration should abandon any plans to build a new prison for women inmates in Norfolk, saying “investing in incarceration is the exact […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Rachael Rollins on vindication of her decline-to-prosecute policy
RACHAEL ROLLINS made headlines during her 2018 run for Suffolk County district attorney when she said, if elected, the office would not prosecute those charged with a set of 15 […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
DCF head admits agency failed David Almond
THE TOP MASSACHUSETTS officials charged with protecting vulnerable children admitted Wednesday that the system failed badly in not preventing the death of Fall River teenager David Almond. “It is clear to […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
What happened to David Almond?
The state Office of the Child Advocate released a scathing 106-page report on Wednesday detailing enormous failures by the Department of Children and Families and others that ultimately led to […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Scathing report details DCF failures leading to death of Fall River boy
THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES failed autistic teenager David Almond time and time again, making inexplicable decisions and ignoring danger signs until the 14-year-old died, emaciated and bruised, allegedly at […]
