The Honorable Karen E. Spilka The Honorable Robert A. DeLeo
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
State House, Room 332 State House, Room 356
Boston, MA 02133 Boston, MA 02133
Dear Budget Conference Committee Conferees,
As co-chairs of the Criminal Justice Reform Caucus, we are requesting the leadership to show their support for the following earmarks:
Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (0321-1600): Include $29,000,000 for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC), in order to provide legal representation for indigent or otherwise disadvantaged residents of the Commonwealth facing critical non-criminal legal issues would have access to legal information, advice, and representation.
Prisoners’ Legal Services (0321-2100): Include $2,208,332 for Prisoners’ Legal Services (PLS). PLS provides civil legal assistance to people who are incarcerated in Massachusetts state prisons (Department of Correction facilities) or in county jails or houses and correction. With focuses on health and mental 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.
Committee for Public Counsel Services (0321-1500), (0321-1510), (0321-1520): Include $256,179,041 for the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) to provide legal representation for residents of the Commonwealth whom are unable to afford an attorney in all matters in which the law requires the appointment of counsel.
Office of the Child Advocate (0930-0100): Include $2,912,000 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.
Implementation of Recommendations by the Council of State Governments Justice Center-Massachusetts Criminal Justice Review (0330-0613): Include $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.
Implementing Mandated Reforms to Mental and Behavioral Health Treatment Related to DOC (8900-0003): Include $4,803,797 for the purpose of implementing mandated reforms to mental and behavioral health and residential treatment related to DOC.
Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program (7002-2021): Include $15,000,000 to a community empowerment and reinvestment grant program to 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.
Amendment 325
CPCS
We greatly appreciate your support for these critical programs and services.
Sincerely,
State Senator Jamie Eldridge (Middlesex and Worcester District)
& State Representative Mary S. Keefe (15th Worcester District)