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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        Contact: Diane Wiffin,
                                                                                          Public Affairs Director
                                                                                          508-422-3317

Harold W. Clarke

Commissioner

March 03, 2009 - For immediate release:

Future of Corrections outlined at Future Search conference

Milford (March 3, 2009)--An ambitious plan for the future of corrections in Massachusetts was the outcome of a three day Future Search conference held recently. With the theme “Partners for Safer Communities: A Shared Responsibility,” a diverse group of key stakeholders joined forces to identify what was needed in Corrections going forward, with the ultimate goal of improved public safety. Co-sponsored by the Department of Correction, the Massachusetts Parole Board and the Massachusetts Sheriffs, participants included an array of key stakeholders including the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, legislators, representatives from health and human service agencies, community service providers, police, prison volunteers, advocates, defense counsel, probation, the trial court, academics, victims, correction officers, ex-offenders and many others.

Representatives from these diverse perspectives worked together to find six areas of common ground: 1) Coordinated and integrated partnerships across agencies; 2) Improved public safety through sentencing reform and alternatives to incarceration; 3) Improving the process of prison reentry into the community by providing diverse rehabilitative opportunities with community involvement; 4) Reaching out to the public at large to increase awareness, educate and engage advocates for public safety; 5) Change institutional culture in prisons and jails in the best interest of public safety proactively maintain a culture that is a safe and healing environment for all stakeholders; and 6) Family involvement, without whom offenders are less likely to succeed in and out of prison.

“We are glad we were able to have this important dialogue with such a diverse group of stakeholders,” said DOC Commissioner Harold W. Clarke. “The vision articulated by the Future Search Conference will serve as the foundation for the DOC’s strategic planning process. We will continue to work with external and internal stakeholders in developing a comprehensive strategic plan and process by which input, feedback and data driven management will be conducted.”

Acting Chairman of the Massachusetts Parole Board Mark Conrad added, “The Future Search conference was a valuable resource for stakeholders involved in corrections and community supervision to utilize in developing new strategies to improve public safety in the Commonwealth. Effective solutions to reentry issues requires participation from the whole community, not a single agency, system or group. Recognizing that the current economic climate presents challenges to organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors, it is more critical now than ever that we increase and enhance partnerships and collaborative efforts to maximize efficiency, effectiveness and a common understanding of our shared objectives. The Future Search conference provided the necessary foundation and direction towards accomplishing this and emphasizing our collective commitment to serve, and I am confident the results will improve public safety.”

Rep. Kay Kahn said, “As a state representative, having pushed for reform of the corrections system for many years, I was pleased to be invited by Governor Patrick and DOC Commissioner Harold Clarke to join stakeholders in creating a shared vision forMassachusetts that prepares inmates for release back into society. We are spending $1.2 billion annually on corrections. The conference ‘Partnership for Safer Communities: A Shared Responsibility’ provided an opportunity to think creatively across the criminal justice system about treatment of prisoners, prevention, and community corrections. The planning meeting agenda was about public safety, fiscal responsibility and greater transparency.”