Sen. Jehlen Named to Criminal Justice Commission

Senator Patricia Jehlen has been named to a special commission to study Massachusetts’ criminal justice system. The commission is charged with reviewing all aspects of the Commonwealth’s criminal justice system including the prisoner classification system, mandatory minimum sentences, sentencing guidelines, the provision of cost-effective corrections’ healthcare, the probation system, the parole system, the operations of the sheriffs’ offices, overcrowding in prisons and houses of correction, recidivism rates, the treatment of juveniles within the criminal justice system, the role that mental health and substance abuse issues play, and the best practices for reintegrating prisoners into the community.

“I am eager to get to work on this commission,” Sen. Jehlen said. “There are many aspects of our criminal justice system that need to be upgraded. We have the opportunity to create a system that is fairer while also reducing crime and saving the state money.”

Joining Sen. Jehlen on the commission will be the Secretary of Public Safety and Security, Sen. Stanley Rosenberg, Sen. Richard Ross, Representative Kevin Murphy, Rep. Chris Markey, Rep. Daniel Winslow, a representative of the Attorney General, a representative of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, a representative of the Massachusetts Sheriffs Association, a representative from the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association, Chief Counsel of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, a representative of the Massachusetts Bar Association, a representative of the Boston Bar Association, a representative of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and three representatives appointed by Governor Patrick.

The commission will begin meeting this month and will submit a report by the end of March 2012. That report should include recommendations for legislation to reduce recidivism, improve overall public safety outcomes, provide alternatives for drug addicted and mentally ill defendants, increase communication and cooperation among public safety entities, reduce overcrowding of facilities, increase reliance upon evidence-based criminal justice methods, improve the collection and reporting of data on adults and juveniles, contain correction costs and otherwise increase efficiencies within the state’s public safety entities.

– Information from the office of State Senator Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville, Medford)