Senator Eldridge and Representative Keefe Set Criteria for EOPSS Secretary in Letter to Governor Baker

Boston, MA – State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and Representative Mary Keefe (D-Worcester) on behalf of the Criminal Justice Reform Caucus, submitted a letter to Governor Baker with pointed requests for the new Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) Secretary. Secretary Thomas Turco, who has held this post for two years, announced in September 2020 that he will retire at the end of the year. The letter addressed critical criteria for Governor Baker to evaluate while considering appointees.  

Sen. Eldridge and Rep. Keefe outlined members’ expectations according to the findings of Harvard Law School’s recent “Racial Disparities in the Massachusetts Criminal Justice System” study, which was presented at a CJR Caucus virtual briefing on October 14, 2020. The report detailed alarming statistics and disparities existing within the Massachusetts criminal justice process, notably illustrating that Black and Latinx populations are overrepresented relative to their share of the state population. Black communities, which make up 6.5% of the state’s population, represent 17.1% of judicial cases, while Latinx communities, which constitute 8.7% of the population, represent 18.3% of judicial cases statewide. Black individuals are 8 times more likely to be incarcerated in Massachusetts than their White counterparts, while Latinx individuals are 5 times more likely. Additionally, Black and Latinx populations receive more serious initial charges, negating the possibility of a plea deal and exposing defendants to sentences of 168 and 148 days longer than White populations.

The letter also raised recommendations offered by the “Data Collection and Reporting in the Massachusetts Criminal Justice System” report issued by the Executive Office of Technology Services & Security (EOTSS) in June 2020. It further reiterates tenets of both An Act relative to criminal justice reform and An Act to reform police standards and shift resources to build a more equitable, fair and just Commonwealth that values Black lives and communities of color, the latter of which remains in committee. 

The EOPSS had an annual operating budget of $1.268 billion in 2020 and is projected to have an operating budget of XXXXXX in the final FY21 budget. Evidence of the glaring disparities in the Massachusetts criminal justice system, institutional willpower to construct oversight and reporting working groups, and the vast resources allocated towards EOPSS justify thorough vetting processes for the new secretary. 

Requests are itemized in the letter as follows: 

• The administration and new secretary need to commit to improving data collection and analysis from criminal justice agencies and trial courts: The Caucus implores Governor Baker to appoint a new secretary who will prioritize improving data collection systems and adopt mechanisms for a uniform and universal statewide identification number.   

• The administration and new secretary need to create systems that record identifying demographics of individuals incorporated into Massachusetts criminal justice system: Race, ethnicity, gender, age, and other data points are required to assess where and how judicial processes vary.

• The administration and new secretary are expected to implement policy proposals in Police reform bill: The new secretary needs to fully enact all of the provisions set forth by the Police reform bill, specifically the creation of the Police Officer Standards and Accreditation Committee (POSAC). These measures need to be executed once legislation is passed.  

• The administration and new secretary need to prioritize implementation of COVID-19 public health guidelines in jails and prisons.

• The administration and new secretary are encouraged to construct a triage of experts between emergency managers and public health administrators: By constructing a triage between emergency management practitioners and public health experts, the Governor’s administration and DOC will be better equipped to respond to COVID-19 and outlying health crises within our prisons and jails.   

These stipulations are especially critical to ensure that the requests of Black and Latinx communities are being received and translated into effective governance and policies.

The Caucus co-chairs have requested to meet with the Governor to discuss further but have yet to hear back. 

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