S1651 — An Act relative to human rights and improved outcomes for incarcerated people

Summary

An Act relative to human rights and improved outcomes for incarcerated people

Bill Text

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The bill establishes new standards and opportunities for out-of-cell time and programming for incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts facilities.

• Chapter 127

  Section 48C: (a) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: “Cell” means any room, area, or space that is not a shared space conducive to meaningful, regular, and congregate social interaction among many people in a group setting, where an individual is held for any purpose. “Congregate” means a group of at least five incarcerated people together in a space without barriers between them. “Out of cell” means a space outside of, and in an area away from, a cell, in a group setting with other incarcerated people all in the same shared space without physical barriers, conducive to meaningful and regular social interaction and activity. (b) The commissioner and administrators of state prisons and county facilities shall, by the effective date of this legislation, promulgate regulations to maximize out of cell time and opportunities for participation of incarcerated people in education, training, employment, and all other programming including programming related to rehabilitation, health care, and substance use...

  This adds a new section defining terms and establishing regulations for out-of-cell time and programming for incarcerated individuals.

• Section 48 of Chapter 127

  The commissioner shall ensure that each facility provide educational programs that earn high school credit toward graduation, vocational classes, and high school equivalency classes and certificate programming to all persons who are committed to the custody of the department or to a county correctional facility who have not obtained a high school degree or equivalency. → The commissioner shall ensure that each facility provide educational programs that earn high school credit toward graduation, vocational classes, and high school equivalency classes and certificate programming to all persons who are committed to the custody of the department or to a county correctional facility who have not obtained a high school degree or equivalency. For people who do not speak English as their first language, English as a Second Language classes shall be offered. These educational programs shall be sufficiently staffed at all state prisons, county jails, and houses of correction to ensure access without waiting lists. These educational programs shall be provided regardless of classification or disciplinary status. The commissioner shall ensure that each facility provides community college or four-year college programming for all students who have already received a high school diploma or equivalency and who express interest in higher education. In addition to each such facility providing at least one general high school equivalency (GED) class, each facility shall also include specialized, age-appropriate educational classes for emerging adults, including all individuals ages 18 thru 25, for both individuals who have and have not obtained a high school degree or equivalency, including but not limited to: (1) classes that earn credit toward high school graduation; (2) special education classes and supports in line with the educational goals identified in students’ individualized educational programs; (3) high school equivalency classes and testing opportunities; (4) vocational education classes; (5) college and workforce readiness classes; and (6) credit-bearing community college and college classes. All emerging adults shall have the opportunity to access at least 4 hours of educational programming daily at least five days a week.

  This updates the requirements for educational programming and ensures it is available without waiting lists and tailored for non-English speakers and emerging adults.

Sponsors

• Cynthia Stone Creem · Primary

Subjects