Executive Order  No. 461: Establishing the Department of Correction Advisory Council

WHEREAS, recent events and the continuous cycle of re-offending present the opportunity for corrections reform in the Commonwealth;

WHEREAS, the Governor's Commission on Corrections Reform recommended reforms to improve the safety and efficiency of our correctional system;

WHEREAS, the Governor's Commission on Corrections Reform specifically recommended the establishment of an external advisory council on corrections to advise the Commissioner of Correction and ensure implementation of the reforms recommended in the report issued by the Commission; and

WHEREAS, the enhancement of public safety, implementation of system-wide accountability, fiscal discipline, and effective collaboration among state agencies will be assisted by the establishment of an external advisory council;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mitt Romney, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution as Supreme Executive Magistrate, part 2, c. 2, § I, Art. I, do hereby order as follows:

Section 1.  There is hereby established the Department of Correction Advisory Council ("the Council"), also known as the Corrections Review Board.  The Council may advise the Commissioner of Correction on correction policies and procedures, and overall administration of the Department.  The Council may also make recommendations to the Commissioner of Correction regarding goals for the future-of the Department of  Correction.

Section 2.  The Council shall consist of seventeen (17) members, including the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health or a designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health or a designee; 2 members of the State Senate selected by the Senate President, one of whom shall be a member of the majority party and one of whom shall be a member of the minority party, and 2 members of the House of Representatives selected by the House Speaker, one of whom shall be a member of the majority party and one of whom shall be a member of the minority party, all of whom must serve on either the public safety or criminal justice committees.  The Governor shall appoint the remaining 11 members, including the Chairperson, from the following categories: (1) a district attorney; (2) a sheriff; (3) a chief of police; (4) an expert on prisoner reentry; (5) an attorney with experience in criminal justice or state government; (6) an attorney with experience in prisoner litigation or criminal defense; (7) a college or university professor with experience in criminal justice; (8) a corrections policy expert; (9) a health care expert with corrections experience; (10) a person with corrections management experience not currently employed by the Department; and (11) the Chairperson, who shall have experience in state government.  The Chairperson shall be responsible for directing the tasks of the Council, and for calling to order Council meetings.

Section 3.  The Chairperson and the Council members shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor, without compensation.

Section 4.  The Council shall monitor the implementation of reforms recommended by the Governor's Commission on Corrections Reform; advocate on behalf of continued reforms; and where appropriate and necessary, propose modifications to the Commission's recommendations in light of changed circumstances.  The Council shall also submit recommendations relative to inmate health and mental health services, and issues pertaining to female offenders in the Department's custody.

Section 5.  The Council shall submit a preliminary report to the Secretary of Public Safety on matters within its scope of review within 6 months of the effective date of this order.  A final report shall be submitted to the Secretary of Public Safety on September 15, 2005, unless such deadline is extended by the Secretary.

Section 6.  The Council shall meet at such times and places established by the Chairperson, but not less than six times before this Executive Order expires.

Section 7.  The Council may call upon and utilize additional services of individuals and entities from outside its membership as is necessary and appropriate to accomplish the objectives of the Council.

Section 8.  This Executive Order will expire on September 15, 2005 unless the Governor extends it by Executive Order.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston this 15th  day of September in the year of our Lord two  thousand four, and of the Independence of the United States of America two hundred and twenty eight.

MITT ROMNEY, GOVERNOR
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH
WILLIAM FRANCIS GALVIN