Massachusetts takes a step forward to being smart on crime.
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For too long our Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system has been broken and has not helped to rehabilitate ex-offenders but to further entrench them in a system that makes their success improbable.
CORI was originally designed to “encourage the successful re-integration of criminal offenders into society by limiting access to criminal records to a narrow group of employers working with vulnerable populations or with critical infrastructure.”
Since the 1970’s the original intent of CORI was lost. What took its place was a system of rules and regulations that distributed inaccurate information to anyone who wanted it. Across the state, there are men and women who have done the time, obeyed their parole and are working to re-establish themselves as productive members of their communities. However, their CORIs can hold them back from gaining lawful employment or adequate housing. It’s time that Massachusetts starts getting smart on crime.
Under the bill the House passed yesterday, all employers, and other agencies who work with vulnerable populations, will now have access to real time state databases. This will encourage businesses to access criminal records through the state database, instead of through third party vendors, which may not have accurate records.
Current law allows CORIs to be sealed after 15 years for felony convictions and after 10 years for misdemeanors. This is needlessly punitive as studies have confirmed that recidivism rates drop precipitously after three years. Under this new legislation felony convictions would be sealed after 10 years and misdemeanors after 5. This will help to decrease recidivism.
The bill dictates that sex offenders and murderers will never be eligible to have their record sealed. Also, law enforcement agencies will always have access to criminal records, even after they have been sealed.
This bill was many years in the making and I would like to thank Speaker DeLeo, Governor Patrick and many of my colleagues who have been working on this for years for their leadership on the issue. I’d also like to extend my thanks to the advocates who worked tirelessly organizing people and marches. Your voices have been heard.
