Criminal Justice Reform

Our system of incarceration is the natural product of white supremacy and an institutional hatred for the poor. In Massachusetts, black and brown people make up 57% of our prison population despite being only 18% of the population as a whole. Those in power know exactly how to achieve genuine public safety but they are choosing not to fix our broken system because it is profitable for the police state and the private prison industry. When we prioritize punishment and neglect over rehabilitation, we make society less safe and perpetuate the cycles of poverty that are responsible for crimes of desperation in the first place. Police are given too large a portion of our tax dollars at the expense of social programs as well as too many responsibilities that can be taken over by different social workers that are unarmed.

Together we will

Reallocate part of the police budget towards education, mental health and other social programs to create real public safety
Relieve the police of many of their current responsibilities including traffic control and issues relating to mental health and homelessness
Deal with moving violations through the use of traffic cameras
End qualified immunity for public and government employees
End the use of police officers to direct traffic at construction sites
End the failed war on drugs which is used to harass and imprison black and brown people disproportionately for a victimless crime. We must legalize all drugs and invest in state operated and non-profit rehab centers for those that suffer from addiction
Ensure job opportunities to formerly incarcerated people and restore voting rights for the currently incarcerated
Create safe and humane facilities for violent offenders as well as alternatives to prison for non-violent offenders
Abolish cash bail
End the practice of using the incarcerated for forced labor and instead pay minimum wage for voluntary labor
Pass "No Cost Calls" so all incarcerated people can stay in touch with family and others on the outside