Prison and Sentencing in Massachusetts, published by Mass Inc., recommends that prison construction should continue to build a minimum bed for every new medium cell. The state prison population, an estimated 11,000 in chains, is approximately 25% over capacity. It is suggested that the Department of Corrections would require a new prison like Souza-Baranowski (the super maximum prison in Shirley) annually for 5 years to address the issue of an overcrowded system. However, any new prison construction will add another hundred million dollars to a very large penal budget and the results would be insignificant.
Massachusetts needs to stop building more prisons, especially maximum and medium facilities, and utilize existing beds, which are currently empty, in minimum settings. It has been widely recognized (and documented by DOC research) that prisoners released from minimum security facilities and pre-release placement are more successful on parole than those returned to the community from walled institutions (medium and maximum security facilities). A very small percentage (16%) of prisoners are placed in these settings, even though the vacancy rate is high.
According to the Executive Summary of the Mass Inc. report more than 20 felons leave walled institutions each week, due to parole, sentence expiration or general conduct discharge without adequate education or skills to return as a positive contributor. A high percentage of these felons are destined to fail in the battle against drugs, alcohol, gambling and criminal behavior. Less than 8 are under parole supervision, due to few opportunities to earn "good-time" deductions and the public outcry to "serve every day" of the sentence. It is in the best interest of society for prisoners to be released on parole, having the skills to function in a positive manner.
A primary purpose of prison is to isolate the convicted felon for a specified period of time. Another resolve is to prepare the human being for eventual return to the community. Parole has been the appropriate vehicle for transition, though in recent years Massachusetts has reduced parole release. Since 1992 the paroling rate for lifers has steadily dwindled from 23% in 1992 to 6% in 1997. In 1997 there were 28 initial petitions for second degree lifers, every one of which was rejected. There were only 5 paroles for lifers in 1997, after subsequent attempts by 50 prisoners.
Commutation hearings for first degree lifers are within the discretion of the Massachusetts Parole Board. In 1992 eleven hearings were held and only one petition was granted. From 1993 to 1997 nine petitions were heard from the 132 requests. Life (without parole) in prison is a sanction many human beings are subjected to in Massachusetts prisons whether sentenced to first degree, second degree or a number of years. The overcrowded situation in the prison system has been created by the reduced rate of parole especially among the lifers and long-termers.
Stop Prison Construction!!
Use Minimum/Pre-Release Beds!!
Release Men/Women On Parole To Community!!!
Published in Mass Dissent in Oct. 1999
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Comments: 3
I learned something about the system here in Massachusetts that I didn't know. The press certainly hasn't given this prison building issue much coverage. Thanks for an insider view.