From Lowell Sun:
A state program aimed at reminding defendants about upcoming court appearances is “already beginning to pay dividends” since the Massachusetts Probation Service implemented it last fall, agency leaders told lawmakers Wednesday as a panel started exploring ways to reduce barriers that people of color face in the probation system.
Following the passage of a criminal justice reform law in 2018, the probation agency has expanded its efforts to reduce unnecessary pre-trial detentions and help residents involved in legal proceedings avoid accidentally missing court dates, Deputy Commissioner of Pre-Trial Services Pamerson Ifill said.
The 2018 law required the Probation Service to “provide notifications and reminders” to defendants. Since launching a system on Nov. 10, the service has sent more than 60,000 text message alerts about upcoming court dates, leading to a decline in defendants failing to appear, according to Ifill.
“That is already beginning to pay dividends as a result of the legislation,” he said. Continue reading >>>
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