Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice Priority Area Group (PAG) was formed to address the issues that low income and minority citizens in Boston face when they enter the criminal justice system. As is the case in the rest of the country, these marginalized groups are particularly susceptible to the most unfair laws and harshest punishments.
The Criminal Justice PAG chose to focus on CORI reform as their primary interest.
The Issue
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) reports are issued to people who have been charged with any crime punishable by incarceration. It does not matter is the charge was dismissed or issued, it still appears on the CORI report. These reports stay open and accessible for 10 years for misdemeanors and 15 years for felonies.
CORI reports pose significant barriers for minority and low-income individuals who are both more likely to be involved in the criminal justice system and more likely to encounter basic problems obtaining employment.
Partnerships for a Solution
The HBLSA Social Justice Committee has recently partnered with the Boston Worker’s Alliance, the Union for Minority Neighborhoods and the Charles Hamilton Houston Center for Race and Justice as part of a robust CORI reform campaign. There is currently a proposed bill in the MA legislature and an anticipated reform bill by Deval Patrick.
If you would like to help the Harvard BLSA Social Justice Committee organize around this issue and get a reform bill passed with no unfriendly amendments, email hblsasj@gmail.com.