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New legislative push aims to help those wrongfully convicted
This International Wrongful Conviction Day, a group gathered at the Massachusetts State House to call for financial compensation for those who were wrongfully convicted. Those wrongfully convicted and their families are working toward a bill that would offer compensation based on the number of years they were in prison. They gathered on Monday to draw attention to the cause. Among…
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Inmate Enfranchisement Pitched as Next Step for Criminal Justice Reform
Restoring the right to vote for those in Massachusetts prisons with a felony conviction would be the next step in criminal justice reform, advocates argued before the Election Laws Committee on Thursday. “Imagine if you’ve registered to vote, voted in your first election — remember what that was like? And then that right was stripped away,” Sen. Liz Miranda of…
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As Mass. Processes Sex Assault Kit Backlog, More Tests Are Returning DNA
Updated data from state officials shows that Massachusetts is making more progress as it works through the backlog of untested sexual assault kits that has garnered attention and criticism in recent years. Out of the 6,502 sexual assault evidence collection kits (SAECKs) being considered for testing at the start of the initiative to clear the backlog at the state lab,…