Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Caucus

Big #CJreform win! Gov. @maura_healey just signed into law the #nocostcalls bill, making MA the 5th state to allow incarcerated people to make phone calls FREE of charge. Before that, folks were paying $2.40 for a 20 min call. #KeepingFamiliesConnected

My statement on anti-immigrant demonstration at #Marlborough hotel - I condemn the expressions of hate by NSC-131, defined by @splcenter as a neo-Nazi group whose activities consist of protests & distributing hate literature. Hate has no home in Mass. senatoreldridge.com/official-state…

💰💰Grant opportunity aimed at communities which have had high rates of criminal justice system involvement, widespread poverty & a large population of disadvantaged and underrepresented peoples. If you are an organization working with these communities, apply today!

Some exciting wins in the FY 2024 budget passed by the MA House and Senate yesterday 🎓Tuition equity for all students regardless of immigration status 🍎Permanent funding for universal school meals 📞No Cost Calls #mapoli

Very excited to announce a critical policy provision that was passed in the #FY24Budget! All prisons & jails must provide telephone calls at no cost to incarcerated people & their families. BIG win! #mapoli

Thank you @JamieEldridgeMA for your advocacy for #cjreform! #mapoli

Hoping the Governor signs this expeditiously! For those confused, it's not actually law yet. We had some impacted folks in a community meeting of impacted people who were confused by this messaging, which makes it sound like it's the law already... #NoCostCalls

I'm incredibly proud to have voted for the FY24 final budget today! Below are 5 progressive victories in the budget including #SchoolMealsforAll, #TuitionEquityAct, #DataEquity for diverse communities, #NoCostCalls & eviction protections for tenants! TY budget conferees! #mapoli

BIG news! FY24 Budget just passed a critical policy provision: FREE phone calls for incarcerated individuals & their families! Families will no longer face exorbitant fees to connect with loved ones behind bars. #mapoli

This Friday, I will be visiting Souza Baranowski Correctional Center, MCI-Shirley, and MCI-Concord. If you have a loved one who needs a visit or to be checked on, please email their name and W# to kevin.higgins@masenate.gov.

On #cjreform front, as @MA_Senate chair of #Judiciary Cte & @CJReform_MA Caucus, I’m relieved #NoCostCalls is in FY24 budget - & we finally have @MassGovernor who supports it. Especially after incarcerated people’s testimony last week! MA is only 3rd state after CT & CA! #mapoli

A big thank you to the Judiciary Committee Chairs Sen. @JamieEldridgeMA and Rep. @mikeday4rep , Vice Chairs Sen. @LydiaMEdwards and Rep. @Barber4StateRep , and the DOC for faciliting this to happen! #cjreform #mapoli

Legislators noted the racial disparities and high number of “lifers” in MA prisons that these reforms would work to rectify. Also, many advocated to increase support for crime victims, such as improving communication between the justice system and those affected by crime. #mapoli

28 incarcerated persons testified virtually before state legislators Tuesday, in support of criminal justice reforms. Though there were over 50 proposed bills, most inmates spoke for an Act to Reduce Mass Incarceration, a bill filed by Sen. @LizforBoston and Rep. Worrell. #mapoli

Powerful, productive visit to MCI-Shirley prison today w/ several members of the #cjreform caucus w/ a tour of the #healthcare units where sick incarcerated men get their healthcare, mostly senior citizens. We received some extremely helpful feedback from the DOC on education too

Advocates of the Prison Moratorium Bill explain that we could use $50 mil more effectively. We could provide reentering citizens with direct cash relief and housing options, reinvest in communities, and repair MCI-Framingham. Thank you to all who testified!wgbh.org/news/local-new…

The State wants to spend $50 million building a new women’s prison. A woman incarcerated at MCI-Framingham, testified,“Fifty million? Why do we need a new facility? There are two units they aren’t even using so that they can cram us into less space.” #mapoli #cjreform

Tues (6/27) we witnessed history. Women incarcerated at MCI-Framingham testified at a legislative hearing. 20 women testified in support of the Prison Moratorium Bill, a measure led by Sen. @Jo_Comerford & @RepChynahTyler , calling to stop the construction of new women’s prisons.

As the Work and Family Mobility Act goes into effect today, I’m thinking about the activists, legislators and public safety officials who pushed mobility for all, regardless of immigration status. Our residents and roads will be safer because of you. Thank you, @DrivingMA4ward.