SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2139        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1548

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Harriette L. Chandler

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to reduce recidivism and promote family relationships during incarceration.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Harriette L. Chandler

First Worcester

 

Elizabeth A. Malia

11th Suffolk

2/24/2021

Mary S. Keefe

15th Worcester

6/25/2021


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2139        FILED ON: 2/19/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1548

By Ms. Chandler, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1548) of Harriette L. Chandler and Elizabeth A. Malia for legislation to reduce recidivism and promote family relationships during incarceration.  Public Safety and Homeland Security.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

An Act to reduce recidivism and promote family relationships during incarceration.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Section 36C of Chapter 127 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting this paragraph at the end: -

Every guard, corrections officer and employee of a correctional institution, jail or house of correction, and every guard or employee of a medical facility who regularly interacts with individuals who are incarcerated that are being held in their medical facility, shall be required to attend a training session and receive educational information on: (1) the importance of ongoing visitation to individuals who are incarcerated as related to reducing recidivism, violence and increasing successful re-entry; and (2) the importance of civility and respectful conduct toward family members and other members of the public who visit individuals who are incarcerated so as to encourage visitation on a regular basis while maintaining security. Training materials and educational information shall be developed in consultation with representatives of the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association, Prisoners Legal Services, the Criminal Justice Reform Caucus, ex-prisoners community based organizations, and community based re-entry programs;  and prior to implementation shall be submitted to the joint committee on the judiciary and the joint committee on public safety and homeland security.