The Springfield Health Disparities Project hosts CORI Independence Day tomorrow (June 30), where the public can learn more about the criminal record system and how it affects them.
The Mass. Legislature has recently made significant several changes to the state Criminal Offender Record Information system, better known as CORI, which critics have long charged poses an undue level of burden on people who have records. Among their concerns: that old charges and convictions remain on records for too long, hampering people who have long since paid their debt as they job hunt, apply for housing, or otherwise go about the business of life. Critics also contend that employers often don’t know how to read the records and can wrongly assume that any person with a CORI is a criminal or poses a threat. In fact, people can have CORIs for non-violent charges, such as insurance violations; charges that were subsequently dropped, or that resulted in an acquittal, also show up on the records.
The Mass. House and Senate have both passed changes that would seal felony convictions on a CORI after 10 years, instead of the current 15 years, and seal misdemeanors after five years, reduced from the current 10. (Certain convictions, including murder, manslaughter and sexual offenses, would never be sealed.) The changes would also prohibit employers from asking about convictions on job applications, although they could still ask about them during interviews with potential hires.
A compromise bill will also need the signature of Gov. Deval Patrick, who’s said he supports the reforms.
At CORI Independence Day, lawyers and law students will be in hand to answer questions about the CORI system and offer advice to record holders, including about how their records will affect them when they look for employment or housing, and how to get their records sealed.
The event, which will include food, will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Blunt Park, at 2460 Roosevelt Ave. For more information, contact Betty Agin at 413-654-2888 or Jose Molina at 413-204-9224.
And for more on the event and the issue, see this entry, including video, on the Springfield Institute’s blog.
