This year’s legislative session – and FAMM’s sentencing reform efforts – is not yet over in Massachusetts. The Judiciary Committee was given another extension on the deadline to file bills: July 17. FAMM is cautiously expecting introduction of a criminal justice bill that may include changes to the CORI law (criminal records information), new requirements for supervision of prisoners after release, and mandatory minimum drug sentencing reform. We can’t tell you anything definite until we see the bill, but FAMM will notify our members as soon as we have that information.
The Massachusetts legislative session ends on July 31. That does not leave much time for the House and Senate to vote on the bill and, if it passes, for Governor Deval Patrick to sign it into law. It could happen, however, and we will tell you about all developments in future emails and website updates.
Governor to hold 11 town hall meetings this summer. Be sure to attend one near you!
Gov. Patrick recently announced plans for a five-week town hall meeting tour across Massachusetts (see list below). The meetings are a unique opportunity for you to tell the Governor how important it is to reform Massachusetts’ mandatory minimum drug laws. The locations have been posted for the first three meetings. We will update you when the other locations are known. You also can check the Governor’s website to keep up to date: www.mass.gov/governor/townhall.
General guidelines for asking a question at a town hall meeting
• Keep it short – a short statement followed by a short question.
• Avoid asking questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.”
• Do not ramble. Do not get angry.
• Speak loudly and clearly.
• Give the governor or his staff information on FAMM after the meeting.
Sample questions for the governor:
If your loved one is serving a mandatory minimum:
My loved one (son, wife, etc.) is serving a (number)-year mandatory minimum sentence for a (drug conspiracy, selling marijuana, etc.). As a result, I have learned about lengthy mandatory minimum drug sentences. Do you support repealing mandatory sentences in favor of a system that allows courts to consider the facts of the case and choose an appropriate sentence? Could you please tell us why?
If you are a concerned citizen:
It costs over $48,000 a year to incarcerate a nonviolent drug offender, and 15-year mandatory sentences are commonplace in drug cases. What more cost-effective ways of protecting public safety do you support?
Or
A person in Massachusetts who commits a drug offense in a “drug-free zone” receives an extra two years added to their sentence. As a result, people who live in urban areas are punished more harshly than those who commit the very same offense in suburban or rural areas. What are your plans to change that law?
Or
Mandatory drug sentences have received a lot of attention for being overly harsh, racially biased and ineffective at reducing drug use. How do you plan to ensure fair and proportionate sentences for all defendants?
Or
Would you support repealing mandatory minimum drug sentences in favor of a system that allows courts to consider the facts of the case and choose an appropriate sentence?
Please share responses with FAMM
If you are planning to attend a town hall meeting, FAMM would like to know. We can talk with you before you attend the meeting to help you frame your questions. We’d also like to hear from you when Governor Patrick addresses sentencing at the town hall meetings. Send responses and news clips to Barbara J. Dougan, Massachusetts FAMM, P.O. Box 57, Newton, MA 02468; Tel: (617) 543-0878; email: bdougan@famm.org.
Town hall meeting schedule
Salem – (already held)
Tuesday, July 8 at 6 p.m.
Armory Park, Corner of Essex and New Liberty Street
Rain Location: Peabody-Essex Museum Atrium
Hull
Thursday, July 10 at 6 p.m.
Bernie King Pavilion
260 Nantasket Avenue, Nantasket Beach
Rain Location: same, area is undercover.
Amesbury
Wednesday, July 16 at 6 p.m.
Upper Millyard Amphitheater, Mill Yard
Rain Location: Amesbury Town Hall
Holyoke
Thursday, July 17 at 6 p.m.
Milton
Monday, July 21 at 6 p.m.
Webster
Wednesday, July 23 at 6 p.m.
Rehoboth
Tuesday, July 29 at 6 p.m.
Athol
Wednesday, July 30 at 6 p.m.
Great Barrington
Monday, August 4 at 6 p.m.
Hyannis
Monday, August 11 at 6 p.m.
Boston - Caribbean Day Parade
Saturday, August 23 at 2 p.m.
What is FAMM?
Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM) was established in 1991 to advocate the repeal of mandatory minimum sentencing laws and promote fair and proportionate sentencing policies. In 2007, FAMM launched a campaign to reform Massachusetts’ mandatory sentencing laws for drug offenses. For more information, visit www.famm.org or call (617) 543-0878.