Dear CJPC Friends,

As many of you know, the Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a public hearing on September 18 on a number of bills related to CORI & reentry. The bill that drew the most attention and testimony was the Public Safety Act 2007-2008, which CJPC has strongly advocated (visit www.cjpc.org for more information on this bill, HB 1416). The PSA has the potential to improve ex-offender reentry and reduce barriers to housing and employment presented by the current sentencing and CORI systems in Massachusetts.

Hundreds of people came to the State House to show their support for reform that increases public safety by improving the CORI system so that housing and employment are available to our community members who need it. The hearing was one important step in a long legislative process, but there is much more work to do. I wanted to give you an update on the hearing and let you know how CJPC was involved; but, more importantly, let you know about our "next steps" and how we can use your help beyond the hearing.

CJPC Submits Eight Panels for Testimony

In nearly six hours of testimony, the Judiciary Committee heard from Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, a number of legislators, city councilors from Boston and Cambridge, clergy, sheriffs and others. CJPC formed eight panels and brought over two dozen people to testify, including: Len Engel, Policy Coordinator of the Crime & Justice Institute; Ben Thompson, Executive Director of STRIVE; Lew Finfer of the Mass. Community Action Network; Rev. Wayne Daley of the TenPoint Coalition; Molly Baldwin, Executive Director of ROCA; Sgt. Dan Delaney of the Chelsea Police Department; Graham Allen of Recovery Homes Collaborative; Brad Brockmann of Mass. Correctional Legal Services; as well as several individuals who have faced the barriers to reentry that HB 1416 and other related legislation seek to address.

I testified with John Williams, a member of our Brockton chapter, who gave powerful testimony about the obstacles he has faced as a result of his own CORI record and how he has turned his experience into significant community work in Brockton. Many people have asked about John since the hearing because they were so moved and impressed by his words. He is a valuable member of CJPC and will be involved as we continue our efforts on CORI and other reentry issues. Unfortunately, many panelists were not able to remain for the day-long hearing, but we are grateful to everyone who answered CJPC's call and offered to provide oral or written testimony.

Gov. Patrick Forms CORI Commission

The Patrick administration demonstrated its commitment to addressing the barriers to housing and employment presented by our current CORI system by sending representatives from three cabinets to testify at the hearing. Suzanne Bump, Secretary of Labor & Workforce Development; JudyAnn Bigby, Secretary of Health & Human Services; and Undersecretary for Criminal Justice, Mary Elizabeth Heffernan, represented Gov. Patrick's administration. Secretary Bump announced that they would be members of a CORI Commission to be formed by the governor. She said the Commission would focus on ensuring the accuracy of CORI reports, training CORI users, and the extent of access to CORI files among non-law enforcement organizations. The problems of access to housing and employment that CORI reform seeks to address are compounded by lack of access to addiction treatment and job training, so it is encouraging that the administration seeks to take a comprehensive cross-cabinet approach to address these interrelated issues.

Many CJPC friends have asked "why do we need another commission?" and some fear this will slow down what has already been a long process. But, the formation of this commission is actually another tool that can help bring the relevant decision-makers to consensus around a complicated and controversial issue and generate additional support for the bill. In addition, it illustrates that the governor wants to explore internal changes that might address some CORI issues more immediately. As Secretary Bump said at the hearing: "I want to underscore that we can and will undertake administrative efforts to resolve as many issues associated with CORI as possible." CJPC is following the formation of the Commission, and we will continue to keep you informed.

What's Next?

The state level legislative process is a long one in Massachusetts. Even 36 months can be considered a short time period for passage of a bill. The hearing was just one step in the process, and we need to work even more quickly to generate legislative support. We need this bill to be passed favorably out of the judiciary committee, while we continue to build enough support in the legislature so that the votes are there to win. CJPC's goal is to integrate state level CORI reform with broader reentry policy. It is crucial that we continue our education and outreach to members of the Patrick administration as well as to legislators and their constituents. CJPC continues to arrange meetings with legislators throughout the state. Can you join us in meeting with legislators, or writing letters to encourage their support?

In addition, we are still growing our coalition, which now includes business and community leaders, clergy, and many individuals who have faced significant obstacles in the re-entry process. We need your help in broadening our group of supporters and activists.

The September 18 hearing illustrated the widespread support for CORI reform. We will continue to keep you informed as to the outcome of the hearing. But in the meantime, you can help in many ways. Please contact me if you want to be involved in our ongoing outreach and education. And, please let me know if you have any questions. To those of you who came to the State House, submitted written testimony or spoke at the hearing, I thank you!

Regards,
Sarah Compton
Executive Director
CJPC