Press Release  Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association Applauds Launch of Public Dashboard Focused on Programming for Justice-Involved Individuals.

BOSTON — In a significant stride toward enhancing public awareness of programming and services available to justice-involved individuals, the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association applauds the release of the public programming statistics dashboard launched on December 1^st.

“As all the Massachusetts Sheriffs work toward sending the justice-involved home with better tools for success than when they arrived, it is important the public can easily learn what that work looks like. This online dashboard accomplishes that goal and allows the Sheriffs to collectively share promising practices, streamline opportunities and collaborate where it benefits the taxpayers and the people in our care and custody,” said MSA President Nick Cocchi, Sheriff of Hampden County.

“As part of our core mission, every Sheriff has consistently focused on relevant and impactful programming, education, and training for justice-involved individuals to help provide for a productive path forward,” said MSA Vice President Patrick W. McDermott, Sheriff of Norfolk County. “This dashboard allows the public to see the breadth and depth of the programming we provide, and underscores how the Massachusetts Sheriffs are leading the way in re-entry.”

The public dashboard is the latest in the efforts of the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association, on behalf of the 14 Sheriffs, to work collaboratively with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPPS) to fulfill requirements within the 2018 Criminal Justice Reform Act.

Building upon the programming metrics developed in collaboration with the 101 Commission, this innovative platform provides a comprehensive overview of programs from 2017-2022 aimed at supporting the successful re-entry of justice-involved individuals across the Commonwealth. Specifically, it provides information on the participation and completion of evidence-based programs across custodial agencies in the Commonwealth.

The Program Dashboard, accessible via this link, encompasses three key components:

• Program Summary: A comprehensive list of all program names for all agencies involved, offering a holistic view of the initiatives undertaken to enhance opportunities and re-entry success for justice-involved individuals.
   
• Program Enrollments: Data on program enrollments, highlighting the reach and impact of rehabilitation initiatives undertaken by custodial agencies.
   
• Program Exits: Detailed insights into program exits, shedding light on the outcomes and successes achieved through these vital rehabilitation programs.

A notable feature of the Program Dashboard is its commitment to transparency. A downloadable dataset is available to the public, allowing citizens to access and analyze the data independently. The information provided will be regularly updated, ensuring ongoing public awareness of efforts to promote successful re-entry for justice-involved individuals.

Going beyond basic statistics, the Program Dashboard offers distinct measures of program participation, including total enrollments, unique enrollments, total program exits, unique program exits, and reasons for exit. This detailed information provides a nuanced understanding of the impact of the programs offered for justice-involved individuals.

"The launch of the programming dashboard highlights our commitment to transparency, collaboration, and, most importantly, providing a pathway for the successful re-entry of justice-involved individuals,” said Executive Director or the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association Carrie Hill. "We are placing a spotlight on the incredible programs provided by the Sheriff’s Offices that are reshaping lives, addressing the root causes, and contributing to positive change.”

The Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association (MSA) supports, promotes, and advocates for each of the 14 Sheriff’s Offices in the Commonwealth. The MSA facilitates cooperative and collaborative relationships among the Sheriffs for the purpose of developing standardized training, providing governance over shared projects, discussing operational promising practices, and evaluating research and data on matters of mutual interest and concern. The MSA improves public safety by promoting a greater understanding of issues impacting the Massachusetts Sheriffs and by bringing together law enforcement and criminal justice professionals

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