Prisoner Advocates Call For Reform Of Parole Board As COVID Spreads
At least 17 people incarcerated in the stateâs prisons and jails have died of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, and more than 3,000 prisoners have tested positive for the disease in a prison population now hovering just under 13,000, data shows.
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Amid mounting cases of COVID-19 in the stateâs prisons and jails, a group of community organizations are calling on Gov. Charlie Baker and top lawmakers to push the Parole Board to expedite releases of eligible parolees.
More than 70 organizations on Tuesday sent a 10-page letter alerting state officials to what they call âserious concernsâ about the parole system, including what they allege are low release rates, long delays for decisions and unnecessary re-incarceration of parolees who havenât committed new crimes.