[Street] [Occupybostonoutreach] Take a moment to write statement to Globe re: 3 Strikes Bill

Katie Gradowski katie.gradowski at gmail.com
Thu Jan 5 13:23:35 EST 2012


I'm going to echo Daniel here.   PLEASE take a moment to read this
editorial, send a letter to the globe, and share this with whatever lists
you are on asking them to do the same.  This has been a big issue for
Occupy the Hood, as well as a number of the other community organizations
we've been working with -- the bill is a little hard to follow  (insofar as
it invokes many minor changes) -- but is an issue that is swiftly evolving,
and could use our support.

I'm cc'ing this to the movement building and anti-oppression lists, in
hopes that people who have more familiarity can jump in and speak to the
specifics of the bill.  There is also a town hall meeting on Saturday
afternoon at the Dudley Public Library to discuss it -- 12:30-4:30 --
please share and try to make it!

Thanks, Daniel, for sharing this.

Best,

Katie


> Begin forwarded message:
>
>  From: Jean Trounstine <TROUNSTINEJ at middlesex.mass.**edu<TROUNSTINEJ at middlesex.mass.edu>
>> >
>> Subject: WRITE! Letters to the Editor re: 3X
>> Date: January 4, 2012 5:11:53 PM EST friends,
>>
>> Yesterday the BOSTON GLOBE published a terrific editorial about 3X,
>> basically encouraging legislators to slow down and take their time to get
>> the best bill possible, and advocating for some important parole reforms.
>>  We would like you to keep the attention focused on this issue.  Please
>> read or re-read the editorial below and send a letter to
>> letter at globe.com<mailto:letter**@globe.com <letter at globe.com>> or by fax (617)
>> 929-2098.
>>
>> In your letter you should reference the date and title of the editorial
>> and include your full name, address, and a telephone number for
>> confirmation purposes. Letters should be 200 words or fewer, and all are
>> subject to editing. THE KEY IS TO TALK ABOUT A SPECIFIC PART OF THE
>> EDITORIAL AND NOT BE TOO GENERAL IN YOUR COMMENTS.
>>
>> This is extremely important so please, remember the GLOBE gets hundreds
>> of letters a day and don't wait for other people to step up.  DO THIS NOW!
>>
>> Media Committee
>> Coalition for Effective Public Safety
>>
>> ______________________________**______________________________**
>> ______________________________**__________________
>>
>> Don?t rush ?three strikes? before getting all the facts on crime
>> Jan. 3, 2012-- BOSTON GLOBE EDITORIAL
>>
>>
>>
>> "To prevent hardened criminals like Cinelli from getting back on the
>> streets, the Legislature is considering a ?three-strikes?? law that would
>> deny parole or any reduction in time served to felons who have been
>> convicted three times of any of almost 60 serious felonies. It would also
>> bump up the amount of time that ?habitual offenders,?? those who have been
>> convicted of any three felonies, would have to serve before being eligible
>> for parole, from half of their maximum sentence to two-thirds.
>>
>>
>>
>> The bill, at least in the version that has passed the state Senate, also
>> contains reforms intended to balance out the anticipated increase in the
>> prison population. It would shrink drug-free school zones, areas in which
>> harsh mandatory minimum sentences apply, from within 1,000 feet of a school
>> ? which is virtually everywhere in an urban area like Boston ? to 500 feet.
>> It would reduce mandatory minimum sentences for drug possession, with
>> retroactive effect, allowing some prisoners to be freed immediately.
>>
>>
>>
>> However, the legislation?s overall effect on the number of prisoners in
>> Massachusetts is unclear. Prisoners? Legal Services estimates that, if
>> enacted, it would impose up to $125 million a year in extra corrections
>> costs. Further, there are no data to indicate how many of those ensnared by
>> the three-strikes law will be petty offenders as opposed to the hardened
>> criminals the bill targets ? let alone a statistical measure for how many
>> drug deals happen 499 feet from a school rather than 501.
>>
>>
>>
>> Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Commission is set to
>> release a sweeping review of statewide criminal justice policies in March.
>> Lawmakers should wait the three months for that panel?s recommendations and
>> then examine criminal sentencing in light of all the relevant statistics.
>> There is no need to rush the patchwork adjustments in the current
>> legislation.
>>
>>
>>
>> But legislators need not sit idly by until the commission issues its
>> report. They should act quickly to pass one section of the bill into law,
>> which mandates that the Parole Board use a computerized risk-assessment
>> tool to help determine which prisoners are likely to reoffend. Had it been
>> in place in 2008, it would have likely prevented Cinelli?s release.
>>
>>
>>
>> Aside from this simple measure, the Legislature should take its time to
>> carefully study and comprehensively overhaul criminal sentencing. Three
>> strikes may be a good pitch to voters, but state legislators need to be
>> sure that the bill is hitting its target. "
>>
>>
> --
> Daniel.
> Occupy Boston Outreach Committee
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