Next Thursday, October 12, at 11AM on the Grand Staircase on the second floor of the Statehouse, a number of leaders and organizations will be coming together to speak out about criminal justice reform.
Please come and show your support for reform!
Criminal Law
Senate Criminal Justice Reform Package
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary reported out to the Senate today a broad criminal justice reform package. The bill will likely hit the Senate Floor at some point in October. Please do offer comments and ask questions here — the bill will continue to evolve through the process and I welcome your input.
Reducing Solitary Confinement
One of the most difficult conversations we are having in the legislature these days is about how to reduce “solitary confinement” within our prisons. We are working hard to frame legislative measures that will support and encourage the necessary changes.
Homicide Ghettoside
While we want to lift people up, not lock them up, we have to preserve and even increase accountability for violence.
Crown Heights
Matt Ruskin, a Watertown native, has directed a great movie — very moving and speaking to real issues of our time.
Understanding Mandatory Minimum Sentencing for Drugs in Massachusetts
Drug dealing is a business. There are retailers — dealers who sell primarily to users — and there are wholesalers — dealers who sell primarily to lower-level dealers. Wholesale transactions are generally larger and our laws penalize larger transactions more heavily.