Issue Position: Criminal Justice Reform

Issue Position

We must focus our efforts and resources on building up our communities and ensuring opportunities are available for all. We can maintain safe communities while focusing on comprehensive and rehabilitative methods for those in the criminal justice system. In order to make progress to this aim, Pat is committed to supporting:

Increasing spending on programs to keep people out of prison
Goal of reducing the number of incarcerated individuals- especially in communities of color.
Eliminating counter productive fees and other small financial obstacles to those in the system- phone charges, probation fees, court costs.
Elimination of cash bail system for minor offenses.
Legislation to require the use of minimum force by police in MA- with guidelines- in order to protect life of all involved.
Repeal of mandatory minimums for drug offenses.
Pat supports the "10 Point Plan" proposed by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus including the following state level priorities:

Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST): Resolve to provide for a "Special Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training" to study and make recommendations concerning the implementation of a Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) system, H2146; Reported favorably now with Rules Committee; Establishes a statewide POST system to certify police officers and enable de-certification for misconduct and abuse.

Civil Service Exam Review and Oversight: An Act to Reform Civil Service Exams, H2292; Currently sent to study, but could be added to Outside Section of the Budget; Establishes an Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity to establish guidelines and review for diversity plans for all state agencies, Establishes a peace officer exam advisory board to review examinations for appointment and promotion of peace officers.

Commission on Structural Racism: An Act establishing a special commission on structural racism, H1440, Currently sent to study, but could be added to Outside Section of the Budget; Establishes a commission to study how the systemic presence of institutional racism has created a culture of structural racial inequality which has exacerbated disproportionate minority contact with the criminal justice system in Massachusetts.

Adopt clear statutory limits on police use of force, including choke-holds and other tactics known to have deadly consequences. Require independent investigation of officer-related deaths. Require data collection and reporting on race, regarding all arrests and police use of force by every department.

Reforma de la Justicia Penal
Debemos centrar nuestros esfuerzos y recursos en la construcción de nuestras comunidades y garantizar que las oportunidades estén disponibles para todos. Podemos mantener comunidades seguras mientras nos enfocamos en métodos integrales y de rehabilitación para aquellos en el sistema de justicia penal. Para avanzar en este objetivo, Pat se compromete a apoyar:

Aumentar el gasto en programas para mantener a las personas fuera de prisión.
Objetivo de reducir el número de personas encarceladas, especialmente en comunidades de color.
Eliminando tarifas contraproducentes y otros pequeños obstáculos financieros para aquellos en el sistema: cargos telefónicos, tarifas de libertad condicional, costos judiciales.
Eliminación del sistema de fianza en efectivo por delitos menores.
Legislación para exigir el uso de fuerza mínima por parte de la policía en MA, con pautas, para proteger la vida de todos los involucrados.
Derogación de los mínimos obligatorios por delitos de drogas.

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