Criminal Justice Reform in Massachusetts: A Five-Year Progress Assessment, written in partnership by researchers at Boston Indicators and MassINC, is the first systematic look at the impact of two landmark criminal justice reform laws passed in 2018. While the COVID-19 pandemic and data quality issues complicate the analysis, this new report finds strong suggestive evidence that these laws led to significant reductions in incarceration without undermining public safety. However, the study also points to various ways in which the work is incomplete. Racial disparities remain large and continue to grow wider in some areas. The state is still building behavioral health treatment capacity. And pockets of violence continue to harm residents of urban communities. The report offers recommendations for how Massachusetts can build on its progress as it works to counter these longstanding challenges.

 The event will include a presentation of report highlights followed by a panel discussion.
 

Panelists to be announced.