The Massachusetts Bar Association co-hosted MassINC's "Third
Annual Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Coalition Policy
Summit: Working Together for Results," on March 18, at UMass
Boston. The theme of the event was the role of cross-agency
partnerships within the criminal justice community, focusing on
serving individuals with behavioral health conditions, integrating
information systems to enable data-driven decision-making and
facilitating successful reentry.
The keynote speakers were Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe
and Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins. Two of the longest serving
sheriffs in Massachusetts, Ashe and Cousins each provided their
perspectives on effective cross-agency partnerships.
Following the keynote address, panel discussions were held on
"Improving Performance through Cross-Agency Data Sharing" and
"Improving Outcomes through Cross-Agency Behavioral Health
Partnerships." MBA President Robert W. Harnais introduced the
second panel.
"The Massachusetts Bar Association has been a longtime partner
of MassINC and we're proud to be part of a coalition that works for
criminal justice reform across the commonwealth," said Harnais.
"Beyond the Wall," a film following a small community of men
released from prison and attempting to rebuild their lives in
Lawrence and Lowell, was shown at the conclusion of the event.
The policy summit was co-presented by MassINC, the MBA and the
Massachusetts Criminal Justice Reform Coalition.