GRADING THE PAROLE BOARD
The Massachusetts Parole Board still faces big challenges despite making some improvements this past year. Its final member was approved this week, but is the body equipped to operate efficiently?
FEATURE FOLLOW-UP: SURREPTITIOUS SIMULATION
Massachusetts State Police purchased cell-phone surveillance tech that civil liberties watchdogs say invites concerning violations of constitutional protections. Is it too late for privacy advocates and lawmakers to put accountability measures in place?
PSYCHEDELIC STANDOFF
One side is behind the ballot initiative to regulate access to psychedelics. The other side has been advocating and organizing grassroots efforts across New England.
STINGRAYS, SIMULATORS, SURVEILLANCE, AND SILVERADOS
How Massachusetts State Police are using the opioid crisis to pursue “profound and dangerous erosions of privacy and civil liberties”
A “NEW HOPE”
What the Mattis decision means for parole in Massachusetts—unprecedented opportunities for release from life sentences, updated trainings for attorneys, and a big shift in the system
PROFITS OVER PRISONERS?
While Massachusetts seeks a contractor to provide healthcare services for people in state prisons, advocates are pushing for stronger oversight of private operators as incarcerated people describe “deplorable” neglect and mistreatment By Dan Atkinson and Jean Trounstine For the past six years, Massachusetts has paid more than half-a-billion dollars to a private, for-profit contractor to […]
SECOND LOOK
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering legislation that would reexamine harsh and mandatory prison sentences. The policy, which follows national trends, could have a significant impact on more than 1,800 people behind bars and their families.
DOES A NEW GOVERNOR SIGNAL A NEW DIRECTION FOR THE MASS PAROLE BOARD?
“I know that if Sarah Coughlin is appointed to the Parole Board, she will be the people’s Parole Board member.”
CLOAK & RECORDS: MORE POST COMMISSION OMISSIONS
“If the same police departments issue press releases after arrests—not convictions—if they think that doing that makes the community safer, then why redact information about alleged abuses from police officers themselves?”
TRAGEDY STILL LINGERS OVER LAWRENCE
A Merrimack Valley Natural Gas Explosion Time Capsule: Putting the extensive damage done in focus five years after a preventable fatal disaster disrupted northeast Massachusetts
