State Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Keefe Highlight Criminal Justice Priorities Passed in FY21 Budget
Boston, MA - State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) and Representative Mary Keefe (D-Worcester), Co-Chairs of the Criminal Justice Reform Caucus, submitted a letter to the Budget Conference Committee expressing support for specific criminal justice-related items to be included in the FY21 budget. Ten critical items were highlighted as priorities for the caucus. Nine items were included in the final FY21 budget, eight as originally submitted.
“I am deeply grateful to all of the legislators, both House and Senate, who advocated for and filed amendments, to continue the criminal justice reform investments that are critical to fully implement the 2018 criminal justice reform law. The Criminal Justice Reform Caucus was proud to champion these efforts and given the difficult budget the Legislature faced due to the pandemic, I am proud of the continued progress Massachusetts is making to move away from mass incarceration in the Commonwealth, and treating incarcerated persons with dignity as well as improving the training of DOC staff, and key justice system stakeholders,” said State Senator Eldridge.
The items that were secured in the FY21 Budget are:
$15,000,000 for Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program: This program will be administered by EOHED for the purpose of developing, strengthening and investing in communities that are disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system, where a high percentage of individuals’ incomes fall below 250 per cent of the federal poverty level, and with a large population of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups.
Implementation of Recommendations by the Council of State Governments Justice Center-Massachusetts Criminal Justice Review: Includes $6,562,500 to implement recommendations set forth by the Council, including:
● The establishment of new programs and expansion of existing programs targeted at recidivism reduction;
● The establishment of EOPSS-administered program grants to support the expansion of evidence-based cognitive behavioral programs in county houses of correction and jails;
● Improve collaboration between DOC and the parole board to reduce delays in the release of paroled inmates;
● Develop a transitional youth early intervention probation pilot program;
● Develop and implement a behavioral health strategy, including statewide capacity to track the utilization of behavioral health care services and behavioral health outcomes for persons in the criminal justice system within the Medicaid management information system.
$4,803,797 to implement Mandated Reforms to Mental and Behavioral Health Treatment Related to DOC.
$29, 000,000 for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation: The funds will be used to provide legal representation for indigent or otherwise disadvantaged residents of Massachusetts facing critical non-criminal legal issues so that they will have access to legal information, advice, and representation.
$2,026, 531 for Prisoners’ Legal Services: PLS provides civil legal assistance to people who are incarcerated in Massachusetts state prisons (Department of Correction facilities) or in county jails or houses of correction. With focuses on health and mental health care, guard-on-prisoner violence, physical conditions of confinement, and segregation and isolation, PLS promotes the safe, humane and lawful treatment of Massachusetts prisoners through civil rights litigation, administrative advocacy, client counseling, and outreach to policy makers and the public.
$256,179,041 for the Committee for Public Counsel Services(CPCS): The funds will be used to provide legal representation for residents of the Commonwealth who are unable to afford an attorney in all matters in which the law requires the appointment of counsel.
$2,912,000 for the Office of the Child Advocate: The funds will be used for the operation of the Office of the Child Advocate to ensure effective cross-agency coordination of early childhood and school-aged student wellness efforts to address barriers to student academic success, including, but not limited to, access to social services, mental health and behavioral health resources. This line item also includes provisions for a pilot program to provide housing support services to transition age youth that are aging out of the care or custody of DCF or DYS.
Additionally, the Criminal Justice Reform Caucus lended their support to three amendments with language to support the Committee for Public Counsel Services and protocol requirements within the Department of Corrections.
Amendment 176, filed by Senator Eldridge, gave the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) authorization to raise lawyer rates where there is an extreme shortage of attorneys. Currently, CPCS is experiencing a shortage of qualified private bar attorneys to represent children and families in care and protection cases across the state.
As it relates to the Department of Corrections, language directing the DOC to report on solitary confinement data including sexual orientation was included in the final budget. Amendment 325, vetoed by Governor Baker, would have required the DOC Commissioner to take all measures possible to furlough individuals who can be safely released in response to the pandemic.
Senator Eldridge and Representative Keefe are grateful to have the support of the Committee Conference and Massachusetts Legislature to continue addressing the root causes of mass incarceration through comprehensive policy reform, education and coalition building. As we look ahead to the next Legislative Session, we will continue to strengthen and build upon these comprehensive reforms for a more just criminal system in Massachusetts.
The full letter submitted to the committee can be found here.
