RE: Criminal Justice Reform Caucus’ FY23 Conference Committee Requests
June 22, 2022
Dear Members of the Conference Committee:
As Co-chairs of the Criminal Justice Reform Caucus, we are writing to express our support for the inclusion of the following items in the FY23 final budget. These priorities will fund critical criminal justice reform initiatives and greatly improve conditions for our constituents who are incarcerated, their loved ones, and those responsible for supporting persons who encounter the criminal justice system.
Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program (7002-2021): We encourage the Conference Committee to include the $20M adopted in the Senate Budget for the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program. Established in FY21, this program is 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% of the federal poverty level, and with a large population of socially and economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented groups. $22.5M were administered earlier this year to 62 organizations across the Commonwealth and we are advocating for the program’s continuance.
Higher Education Programming (8900-1100): Include $80K adopted in the Senate Budget to fund the salaries of two college and career coordinators at MCI–Gardner and MCI-Norfolk, respectively. We understand that educational access greatly improves individuals’ chances at employment and rehabilitation once their time has been served and this appropriation is necessary to that end.
Restorative Justice Grant Program (8100-0112): Provides $400K, as included in the Senate Budget, for a restorative justice grant program to be administered by EOPSS in consultation with the restorative justice advisory committee for community-based restorative justice programs with a priority for low-income communities.
Residential Reentry Programs (0339-1011): Include the $13,612,371 that was adopted in the Senate budget for a grant program administered by the Office of the Commissioner of Probation for community-based residential reentry programs to reduce recidivism by providing transitional housing, workforce development and case management to individuals returning to the community from county correctional facilities and state prisons.
Emerging Adults Re-Entry Programs (8000-0655): Include the language change adopted in the Senate Budget, altering this line item so that 10% of the total appropriation is allocated for administrative support and training to grantees and their partners.
Exoneree Network at New England Innocence Project (0321-2200): Include $250K, as adopted in the Senate Budget, to support exonerees helped by the New England Innocence Project.
Transitional Housing for Parolees (0339-1011): Successful re-entry is critical to reducing recidivism and stable housing is a prerequisite to successful re-entry. We respectfully request that the final conference committee budget include the Senate appropriation of $500K contained within this line item.
Juvenile Court Clinics (5055-0000): Include the $12,697,923 adopted in both the House and Senate budgets to retain and recruit highly specialized clinical staff.
Dual Generation Supports for High-Risk Young Parents (4401-1003): Include the $3.5M adopted in the House Budget for intensive case management and trauma support for high-risk young parents and their children.
Prisoners' Legal Services (0321-2100): Include $2,646,567, as adopted in both the House and Senate budgets, for PLS’ operating expenses. .
Committee for Public Counsel Services: We ask that you fund the following line items as listed for CPCS’ operating expenses.
(0321-1500): $79,011,013, as adopted in the House and Senate budgets.
(0321-1510): $207,565,150, as adopted in the House and Senate budgets.
(0321-1520): $30,165,014, as included in the Governor and Senate’s budgets.
Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (0321-1600): Include $41M for MLAC, as adopted in the House and Senate budgets.
Monitoring Conditions at Bridgewater State Hospital (8900-0001): Include $125K For the Disability Law Center, Inc. to monitor the efficacy of service delivery reforms at Bridgewater State Hospital, as adopted in the Senate Budget. .
Medically Assisted Treatment Pilot Program Expansion (1599-0105): Include $18.5M, as adopted in the Senate Budget, to expand reserves for costs associated with the delivery of medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder at county correctional facilities.
Removing Supervision Fees and Drivers License Fees for Parole and Probation: We encourage the Conference Committee to maintain the outside sections that would eliminate supervision fees for individuals sentenced to parole or probation, as included in the Governor’s, House, and Senate budgets.
Communications and No Cost Calls: We support the House Budget language creating a $20M Trust Fund dedicated to communication services, which sheriffs and the DOC can access for reimbursement only after submitting proof of their quarterly spending on communication services. Moreover, we support language that would enable the Trust Fund to take effect this year, rather than delay its implementation. We also urge the Conference Committee to maintain the continuity of unlimited calls by barring any new caps on calls and to guarantee 120 minutes available to each person, each day.
Additionally, we are asking the Conference Committee to consider ending the practice of incarcerating men civilly committed for substance use disorder under G.L. c. 123 Section 35. The motion to cease those practices was not adopted in either the House or Senate budgets. Nonetheless, we request that the Conference Committee expend appropriations generated through line items 8900-0002 and 8910-0104 on urgently-needed community treatment programs and, as necessary, Section 35 programs licensed or approved by the Departments of Public Health and Mental Health.
We greatly appreciate your consideration of the Criminal Justice Reform Caucus’ FY23 Budget priorities. Please do not hesitate to contact either of our offices with any questions.
Sincerely,
James B. Eldridge
State Senator
Middlesex & Worcester District
Mary S. Keefe
State Representative
15th Worcester District