Public Hearing on Criminal Record (CORI) Reform Today

Boston – The Judiciary Committee of the State Legislature held a hearing today on legislation to reform the broken Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system. There is broad support for CORI reform, with Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Thomas Menino, public safety officials, and business owners all testifying in favor. Over 300 members of the Commonwealth CORI Coalition (CCC), a statewide alliance of 60 community organizations, labor unions and faith-based groups, packed the hearing and urged the legislature to put comprehensive CORI reform on its fall agenda.

Originally created for use by law enforcement, the CORI system needs to be updated to reflect its current use by employers, landlords, and others in decisions on hiring, housing, professional licensing, and student loans. The greatly expanded use of CORI, and the diverse circumstances that can result in an individual having a CORI, make it impossible for many qualified job seekers to obtain employment. This barrier results in higher recidivism, increased costs for the state, and lost revenue.

Senator Harriette Chandler and Representative Liz Malia have introduced legislation that would simplify the process to seal CORI records, stop the dissemination of irrelevant outdated records, and help employers better evaluate the risks and benefits of hiring an individual with a CORI record. “The current CORI system is clearly broken, and this comprehensive reform legislation will provide for a more efficient and fair implementation of the law, while continuing to provide important public safety protections,” said Senator Chandler.

Robert Haynes, President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, remarked, “CORI reform is important to the Labor Movement because we are about dignity, and the current system is denying people the dignity that comes with working and supporting one’s family. Too many people are unfairly penalized by the current system. CORI reform is about economic fairness and restoring opportunities, and can be done in a way that does not jeopardize but increases public safety. People make mistakes; they get rehabilitated and should get another chance to become productive, self-sufficient citizens. The surest way to avoid repeat offenses is to give a person the dignity that comes with having a job. An outdated CORI record should not create an insurmountable barrier to employment and re-entry into society. Let’s reform CORI and give these families a chance to succeed.”

Wilnelia Rivera, Chair of the Commonwealth CORI Coalition, added, “In the midst of the current fiscal and economic crisis, we can no longer afford to ignore an outdated system that keeps motivated residents from getting and keeping jobs, increases unemployment and reliance on public assistance, and decreases workforce productivity and tax revenue.”

What: Judiciary Committee Public Hearing on CORI Reform
When: Monday, July 27, 2009, 1:00 pm
Where: Massachusetts State House, Gardner Auditorium
Who: Governor Deval Patrick, Mayor Thomas Menino, public safety officials, State Legislators, academics, business owners, and people impacted by the CORI system

Attachment: 

Commonwealth CORI Coalition Press Release 7.29.09