FHS boys and girls basketball teams top North Attleboro

Via Hockomock Sports, we share the results of Hockomock League action for the FHS basketball teams.

Boys Basketball

• North Attleboro, 57 @ Franklin, 60 – Final 

– Tim Prunier hit two free throws down the stretch to stretch the Panthers’ lead to three as Franklin outlasted North Attleboro. The Rocketeers trailed by nine at halftime but rallied to get a 45-44 lead heading into the final period. Prunier finished with a team-best 18 points while freshman Jay Dieterle added 13 points and sophomore Connor Peterson had 11 points. North junior Brent Doherty also had 18 points, Kyle McCarthy scored a career-high 13 points in his first start and Mario Bresko added 11 points.

FHS Panthers

Girls Basketball

• Franklin, 63 @ North Attleboro, 47 – Final 

– Franklin broke open a three-point game at the half with a 20-5 run in the third quarter. Carli Koffinke was the top scorer for the Panthers with 13, while Aubrie Kutil added a double-double with 11 points. Lauren Rudolph for Franklin and Olivia Adiletto eight. Emily Peters scored 20 points for the Rocketeers in a losing effort.

For other results on Friday around the Hockomock League
http://www.hockomocksports.com/fridays-schedule-scoreboard-012916/

LEAPING into Kindergarten - Feb 29

LEAPING into Kindergarten: An informational program for Franklin Public School families with children eligible to attend kindergarten in the fall of 2016 (5 years old by August 31st):

Date: Monday, February 29th Time: 6:30-7:30pm; Q andA session from 7:30-8:00pm
Location: Horace Mann Auditorium (224 Oak Street)

Members of the Franklin school community, including kindergarten teachers, principals, a school nurse, and the Director of Student Services, will provide helpful information to families on:

• Kindergarten Registration: the timeline and the process
• Health Information: immunizations, allergies, medical accommodations
• Safety: efforts the Franklin public schools is taking to ensure safety in our schools
• Teaching and Learning: the kindergarten day and our approach to learning
• Kindergarten Screening: what it is and what it is not
• Kindergarten Orientation: helping you and your child feel welcome
• Transportation: the big yellow school bus

entrance to Horace Mann Middle School Auditorium

For more information, please contact Kelty Kelley, ECDC Principal



Kelty Kelley, Principal

F. X. O'Regan Early Childhood Development Center
224 Oak Street
Franklin, MA 02038
Phone: 508-541-8166
Fax: 508-541-8254
kelleyk@franklin.k12.ma.us

Franklin Food Elves Bring in Record Donations – Again!

The Franklin Food Elves did it again! The final donation numbers are in, and the Elves are pleased to announce that the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign has collected more than four tons (or 8,001 pounds) of goods, and more than $11,000 for the Franklin Food Pantry. 

These numbers beat last year’s record totals by more than 1,500 pounds of food, and nearly $3,000. The success was due to the hard work of more than 120 Food Elves, along with tremendous support from the community and local businesses. The Food Elves, increasing by 35 elves this year, has grown every year in popularity among local elementary, middle and high school students.  

Photo courtesy of Bob Teixeira

As the Food Elves canvassed local neighborhoods for food and monetary donations, Franklin businesses did their part by placing donation bins at their locations and pledging cash donations to support the cause. 

Those businesses included Chestnut Dental Associates, DCU, Dean Bank, Dean College, Emma’s Quilt Cupboard, Franklin Downtown Partnership Office, Jane’s Frames, Keefe Insurance Agency, Murphy Business, Pour Richard’s Wine & Spirits, SELF Aesthetics and Therapeutic Specialists, Medical Spa and The Adirondack Club. 

“We are overwhelmed by the amount of support we received this year from the Franklin Food Elves, member businesses of the Franklin Downtown Partnership, and our community,” said Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “Thanks to the hard work of the Food Elves, we will be able to continue helping our families who are struggling to put food on their tables.” 

For the first time, the Food Elves gave residents the option of making monetary donations in addition to, or in lieu of, food. Monetary gifts allow the Pantry to supplement food donations with more nutritious and fresh food, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meats. 

“The response was incredible,” said Lynch. “Not only did we break all records in the amount of food we received, we are able to supplement the nonperishable donations with fresh, protein-rich and nutritious foods. We could not be more grateful.”

For more information about the Food Elves and the “12 Days of Donating” Campaign, please contact the Food Elves at franklinfoodelves@yahoo.com. For more information about the Franklin Food Pantry, or a list of its current needs, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org.

Franklin Newcomers and Friends February Meeting Information - Feb 10

Please join the Franklin Newcomers and Friends for our version of Antique Roadshow, starring Lydia Kirchthurn, a Newcomers alum. We'll be upstairs in a private room at Restaurant "3" at 7:30pm on Wednesday, Feb 10.

Franklin Newcomers

Lydia Kirchthurn is an old soul, and she has always loved antiques and the stories behind them. So in 2005 when she left her career in education to raise her children she started her new adventures with antiques. First she started buying antiques at yard sales and thrift stores and selling them on EBAY. Then she started selling her friend's antiques on EBAY, then whole houses of antiques, eventually working at a high end auction house run by an Antique Roadshow Alum. While at the auction house she realized that her passion for antiques and their stories included something unexpected - a connection to the spirits of the people who owned them.

In 2014 Lydia left the Auction business and enrolled in the Rhys Thomas School of Energy Medicine where she is currently studying and honing her unique gift. Now she is uniting her worlds and offering unique antique appraisals and communication with the spirits attached to them.

If you have a small, antique, family heirloom, feel free to bring it. Lydia will examine as many pieces as she can to reveal their value and possibly a story! Something personal, like jewelry, would be best.

As always, we welcome all to join us. Heavy appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary.

In the News: Exelon hearings end, bone marrow drive

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Stop Medway Peaker Plant

A state board’s hearings on whether Exelon should be allowed to construct a 200-megawatt expansion at its existing Summer Street facility in Medway ended this week after nearly two months of hearings. 

The hearings began on Dec. 8 and ended on Thursday. The nine-member Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB), charged with permitting energy projects that meet state and federal environmental regulations, heard hours of testimony that covered technology, pollution, environmental worries and proposed water use.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160129/medway-exelon-hearings-end---for-now

A bone marrow drive will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Franklin YMCA, 45 Forge Hill Road in honor of Jennifer Felicetti. 

Felicetti is a mother, wife and friend with a passion for life. This past Christmas Eve, she was admitted to her local hospital, unaware that her life was about to take a drastic turn. A few days later, Felicetti was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. While she is currently undergoing aggressive treatment, her doctors believe her best shot will likely be a bone marrow transplant. With no matching donor in her family, Felicetti will be forced to enter the nerve-wracking search for an unrelated donor.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160129/delete-blood-cancer-to-hold-bone-marrow-drive-at-franklin-ymca

Upcoming Events in Franklin, MA Area: FRI 1/29/16 - THU 2/4/16

FRIDAY 1/29/16
6:30pm   Art Night Uncorked at the Franklin Art Center
7pm   BFCCPS presents the ‘High School Musical - On Stage!’ at Horace Mann MS

SATURDAY 1/30/16
9-11:30am   Parent/8th Grade Student Orientation at the FHS
10am-4pm   Seminar: Learn to be a process server. Email: constableservice@comcast.net for more info.
2pm   BFCCPS presents the ‘High School Musical - On Stage!’ at Horace Mann MS
8pm   Circle of Friends Coffehouse: No Fuss and Feathers, FUSF Meetinghouse

SUNDAY 1/31/16
7:30-10:30am   Sunday Morning Breakfast at Franklin Rod and Gun Club
9am-12pm   Bulldog Youth Baseball Camp at Dean College
1-4pm   Beer vs. Wine Fundraiser at Pour Richard’s to benefit the Franklin and Bellingham Rail Trail Committee
1pm   Free Family Event at The Black Box: Sunday Afternoon Blues featuring Mark Poniatowski and Friends

MONDAY 2/1/16
7pm   Helping Your Kids Navigate Social Media and Cyberbullying: parent education evening at BFCCPS, free and open to public

TUESDAY 2/2/16
1-2:30pm   Open House at Y World of Tots at Franklin YMCA
7pm   Franklin Graden Club Meeting - presentation on multi-season shade gardens by Paul Steen, Franklin Senior Center
7pm   S.A.F.E. Coallition Event: Author Robert Putnam (Bowling Alone and Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis) at FHS

WEDNESDAY 2/3/16
6-9pm   Women’s Success Network Meeting at Lake Pearl in Wrentham

For all the Town of Franklin Public Meetings click HERE.

For event details click HERE.

*If you have any suggestions or events for the calendar, please email Renata@BetterLivingRE.com

FHS alumni athletes in the news

FHS Panthers

One of the periodic publications of Hockomock Sports is their look at how Hockomock alumni are doing on the college campuses. The recent "Campus Report" mentions FHS grads Sam Bohmiller, Chris Rodgers, Marcus Giese, and Alicia Kutil.


You can read the "Campus Report" here
http://www.hockomocksports.com/campus-report-winter-season-rolls/

A Constituency That Matters - Live Webinar February 3, 2016

Facing Addiction, along with MAP Health Management and TPAS (Treatment Professionals in Alumni Services) will host a webinar called VOTE FOR RECOVERY 2016! February 3 for recovery advocates and others who work in addiction prevention or treatment. This free event will take a look at recent trends in the field as well as examine the path to improving the fight against addiction. Participants will learn about the results of a recent omnibus survey conducted by MAP and The Mellman Group, a national research firm. The survey asked 1,007 Americans over the age of 18 about the prevalence of substance use disorder and their opinions about addiction. The hour-long webinar will conclude with panel of advocates and experts, including Greg Williams, who will participate in a Q and A session. Addiction is one of the nation's largest epidemics, killing more than 125,000 people and costing $650 billion per year. We need to raise awareness, ramp up advocacy and develop rigorous, strategic plans of action for reducing its multifaceted impact. To register for the online event: Go to this link Click "Register" On the registration form, enter your information and then click "Submit". You will receive a confirmation email message with instructions on how to join the event. Sincerely, Facing Addiction Team         Facing Addiction Inc. · Facing Addiction Inc.is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to finding solutions to the addiction crisis, as well as an independent coalition of national, state, and local non-profit organizations.

MassBudget: Info on Proposed Corporate Tax Break Expansion

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. The Single Sales Factor Tax Break: Has It Worked?  The Governor's budget proposal will reportedly include the expansion of a corporate tax break called Single Sales Factor apportionment. The Single Sales Factor Tax Break: Has It Worked? describes how this tax break works, the evidence on whether it is effective, and its cost. Massachusetts has been providing this tax break to manufacturing companies, defense contractors, and mutual fund companies since the 1990s. There is no evidence that it has had a positive effect on job creation or the strength of our state economy. Studies of states with Single Sales Factor have found that this costly tax break for manufacturers has not led them to retain more manufacturing jobs. The Governor's proposal to expand this tax break would extend it to all multi-state corporations. The existing Single Sales Factor tax break costs the state over $200 million a year. The proposed expansion, when fully phased in, is estimated to cost an additional $67 million. While the Governor's budget reportedly proposes paying for part of this cost by reforming the state's film tax credit, ultimately the proposal to spend $67 million to expand this tax credit should be weighed against other potential investments such as making college more affordable, expanding access to early education, improving our schools, or fixing our transportation infrastructure. For the full factsheet click HERE. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

screen grab MassBudget - single sales factor

FHS Class of 2017 selling pom pom beanie caps to raise money

Starting this week and from now until 1/31, Franklin High School Class of 2017 is holding a fundraiser to raise money for the upcoming prom in April.

Class officers and representatives have opened up a school store online (click here to access) that sells pom pom beanie hats for $18.00. The class of 2017 urges students to buy fast, as the page closes down this upcoming Sunday.

FHS pom pom beanie cap

“With the winter season being here, we thought it would be a great idea to sell cozy hats that will also strengthen school spirit- not to mention the proceeds will also go to helping fund this year’s prom” says FHS junior Maddie Derby, the student who came up with the idea to sell the hats.

“We hope people will buy the hats as it will help to make prom better!” says Derby.

The hats fit anyone and everyone! Not only can FHS students buy them, but anyone in the Town of Franklin who just want to sport some cool winter gear.

Make sure to buy a hat to help support FHS Class of ‘17!

https://trivalley.tuosystems.com/stores/franklin-high-school-class-of-2017

Valentine Chocolate & Wine Tasting - February 9

Franklin Public Schools         Lifelong Learning Institute The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning  ONLY A FEW SLOTS LEFT  REGISTER TODAY  Valentine Chocolate and Wine Tasting Tuesday, February 9 Dear Friends: Just in time for Valentine's Day - Chocolate and wine pairings ..... bring your sweetheart, your BFF, your neighbor, and join the good folks from the Sugar Shoppe and Franklin Liquors on Tuesday, February 9 from 7:00 to 9:00pm for an evening you won't soon forget! Explore the world of decadent chocolate and a minimum of 6 fabulous wine pairings. There is simply nothing better. The Sugar Shoppe's, Courtney Nappa, and Franklin Liquor's, Mark Lenzi, will show you the way for this educational sit-down tasting. And, a portion of your registration will go towards helping someone in need through the Sugar Shoppe, a local non-profit candy store, working with local businesses to help raise money for homeless moms and kids in joint community efforts. Note: Participants must be over 21 years of age Location: Franklin Liquors, 363 East Central St.                                                              Cost: $40            For More Information and To Register click here

Forward this email FPS- Life Long Learning | 355 East Central Street | Franklin | MA | 02038

FHS boys hockey,wrestling, and girls swim teams post wins on Wednesday

It was mostly Franklin vs. Attleboro on Wednesday with the boys hockey team taking a 13-0 win, the boys swim team dropping a 100-53 meet and the girls swim team winning 100-63. The wrestling team beat St John's Prep. The girls hockey team lost 3-2 to Westwood. All results via Hockomock Sports.

Boys Hockey

• Franklin, 13 @ Attleboro, 0 – Final 

– Ryan Hohmann netted his first career hat trick and seniors Jake Downie and Alex Bissanti each scored a pair of goals. Tyler Oakes, Jack Chaffee, Sean Hedvig, Luke Downie and Jeremy Miller each scored once for the Panthers.

FHS Panthers

Girls Hockey

• Franklin, 2 vs. Westwood, 3 – Final

Wrestling

• Franklin, 48 @ St. John’s Prep, 18 – Final

Boys Swimming

• Attleboro, 100 @ Franklin, 53 – Final

Girls Swimming

• Attleboro, 63 @ Franklin, 100 – Final

For all the Hockomock League results on Wednesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/wednesdays-schedule-scoreboard-012716/

MassBudget: An Early Take on the Governor's FY 2017 Budget

The budget season gets into full swing with the release of the Governor's budget. As Franklin is dependent upon the state for approx 30% of the revenue side of the budget, we'll continue to follow the state budget closely until it is approved later this year.

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. An Early Take on the Governor's FY 2017 Budget  Today the Governor released his Fiscal Year 2017 budget proposal, kicking off an important process of determining what we as a Commonwealth hope to do together through our government this year, and detailing how we will pay for those things. While it includes some positive elements -- like strengthening the Department of Children and Families -- this proposal continues a pattern that has been in place since the state cut taxes by over $3 billion between 1998 and 2002: deep budget cuts in bad times and very little progress in good times. We continue to put off making the kinds of long-term investments in our people and our transportation systems that would make life better for Massachusetts families and improve the long-term strength of our state economy (for more context, read our FY 2017 Budget Preview). Keep an eye out later next week for our full Budget Monitor, which will analyze the Governor's proposals in much greater depth. For now, here are a few highlights. The Governor proposes: Scaling-back the Film Tax Credit, which has proven to be an inefficient strategy for creating jobs. Department of Revenue research has shown that the cost for each job created by this tax credit exceeds $100,000 a year (more detail HERE). With revenue from this change, the Governor would fund the following two initiatives (although these likely total more than the projected savings from the FTC): Expanding a corporate tax break called Single Sales Factor, costing over $60 million once fully phased-in (more detail HERE). Massachusetts has been providing this tax break to manufacturing companies, defense contractors, and mutual fund companies since the 1990s. There is no evidence that it has had a positive effect on job creation or the strength of our state economy. The Governor proposes extending this tax break to all multi-state corporations. Expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, costing $25 million annually once phased-in over five years. The administration projects that this initiative would support an additional 1,500 affordable rental units. Supporting a multi-faceted approach to the opioid addiction epidemic, including targeted funding for prevention and treatment, as well as funding for law enforcement. The budget proposal directs close to $9 million more to public health programs targeting substance abuse treatment and recovery programs, and funding for an additional 150 adult residential recovery opioid treatment beds. The budget also directs funding to law enforcement agencies especially in the so-called Gateway Cities, such as Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Fitchburg, and Lynn, in order to help police disrupt the trafficking and distribution of heroin. Reducing funding for the state Department of Revenue's Office of Tax Administration by more than 15 percent. This is likely related to staff reductions connected to last year's early retirement initiative. The danger of reducing the capacity of this office is that it could significantly harm the state's ability to combat tax evasion, particularly by those with the resources to engage in complex efforts to avoid paying the taxes they owe. Increased tax evasion could reduce the revenue available to fund education, local aid, and other core government services. Supporting additional social workers in the Department of Children and Families. To decrease the caseloads of social workers so they can better meet the needs of children and families, the Governor's budget increases funding for the social workers account by $19.6 million (9.6 percent). The budget also continues the operational reforms in the area offices and increases funding for oversight and supervision. Increasing General Local Aid by 4.3 percent, tracking the rate of growth of state revenue. Even after this modest increase, local aid funding will still be about 40 percent lower than it was in FY 2001, adjusted for inflation. Changing the Charter School Reimbursement formula and providing an increase of $20.5 million. Under the Governor's redesigned formula, all sending districts would receive 100 percent tuition reimbursement in the first year of a charter tuition increase. In the second and third years after an increase in total tuition, aid would predominantly go to urban districts sending higher proportions of students to charter schools. Unlike under the current formula, no districts would receive any reimbursements in years 4 through 6. Increasing Chapter 70 Education Aid by 1.6 percent, or $72.1 million. This proposal largely runs the existing formula using updated enrollment and inflation numbers. It includes a new method of estimating the number of low-income students in each district, driven by changes to the national school meals program (more detail HERE). The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today

In the News: possible school calendar changes, senior circuit breaker, class of 1966 reunion

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

While Franklin schools will have their regular February and April vacations in the 2016-2017 school year, the School Committee will consider if that will continue in the future.
The committee voted at its meeting Tuesday night on a 2016-2017 calendar that would have school begin before Labor Day and end on June 16. It also decided to convene a subcommittee that would examine the calendar situation for upcoming years.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160127/franklin-school-committee-mulls-vacation-changes

State Sen. Richard Ross, R-Wrentham, state Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, and state Rep. Jeffrey Roy, D-Franklin, will host an informational seminar on the senior circuit breaker tax credit at 10 a.m. Feb. 10 at the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St. 

The senior circuit breaker is a tax credit for senior citizens whose property payments account for more than 10 percent of their annual income. Eligible seniors will receive a $1 credit on their Massachusetts tax return for every dollar that their total property tax, water and sewer bills exceed 10 percent of their income. A maximum of $1,070 credit is available. Additionally, if the taxpayer has not claimed the tax credit in the past, it may be claimed for the previous three years.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160127/franklin-seniors-to-learn-about-circuit-breaker-tax-credit

The Franklin High School Class of 1966 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its graduation June 3-5. 

Celebration activities will include attending the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2016 on Friday, June 3, and continue will additional gatherings after the graduation that evening through Sunday.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160128/franklin-high-school-class-of-1966-to-hold-reunion

In the News: law firms merge, Dean joins new conference

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin

Ryan & Faenza, Attorneys at Law, of Walpole, and Cataldo Law Offices LLC, of Franklin, announced the merger of their two firms. 

Ryan Faenza Cataldo LLC will represent not only the merger of two law firms but also the merger of a professional relationship that has existed for more than 40 years. 

The combination of experience, geographical expansion, diversification of practice — including divorce, criminal defense, civil litigation, business and banking law, real estate law and estate planning — and the long-standing reputation of both firms will provide clients with a full-service law firm that offers a wider range of legal service.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160127/ryan--faenza-cataldo-law-offices-announce-merger

The Eastern Collegiate Football Conference officially accepted Dean College as a member of its football-only conference, beginning with the fall 2017 season. 

This is another positive step for the college as it transitions from a National Junior College Athletic Association program to a National College Athletic Association Division III program. 

Current ECFC members include Anna Maria College, Becker College, Castleton State College, Galludet University, Husson University, SUNY Maritime College, Mount Ida College and Norwich University. Alfred State College was also accepted at the most recent conference meeting.

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160127/eastern-collegiate-football-conference-accepts-dean-college

Both FHS basketball teams top Milford on Tuesday

Both the FHS boys and girls basketball teams won on Tuesday night against Milford. Results via Hockomock Sports.

FHS Panthers

Boys Basketball

• Milford, 58 @ Franklin, 74 – Final 

– Milford had a lead midway through the third quarter but the Panthers outscored the Scarlet Hawks 36-18 over the final 12 minutes of play. Franklin freshman Jay Dieterle tied a career-high with 24 points while sophomore Connor Peterson chipped in 14 points. Milford’s Dwight Anderson had 19 points and Anthony Arcudi added 11 points.

Girls Basketball

• Franklin, 68 @ Milford, 42 – Final 

– The Panthers broke the game open with a 24-6 second quarter. Lauren Rudolph was Franklin’s top scorer with 14. Aubrie Kutil added 12 points for the Panthers and Olivia Adiletto had 10. Milford’s Kate Irwin finished with 13 points.

For the remainder of the results around the Hockomock League on Tuesday
http://www.hockomocksports.com/tuesdays-schedule-scoreboard-012616/

MassBudget: Incarceration Trends in Massachusetts

Long-Term Increases, Recent Progress

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Incarceration Trends in Massachusetts: Long-Term Increases, Recent Progress    An effective criminal justice system reduces crime and keeps our neighborhoods safe. It both makes sure that those who commit crimes are punished appropriately and that we are smart about rehabilitating them so that they can reenter society as productive contributors to our economy and community. Like in the rest of the nation, incarceration rates in Massachusetts increased dramatically during the 1980s and remained very high for decades. In recent years, several states have begun to implement criminal justice reforms that are reducing unnecessary incarceration. Massachusetts has reformed marijuana laws leading to a significant reduction in the number of people incarcerated for marijuana possession. Massachusetts has also adopted reforms of our criminal records laws that aim to make it easier for former prisoners to get jobs and participate in to our economy. We are beginning to see declines both in incarceration rates and in recidivism. Incarceration Trends in Massachusetts tracks and analyzes these trends over the past four decades. We see progress, but also that we have a long way to go: incarceration rates are still much higher than they were before the 1980s, and a large share of those leaving prison and jail are not receiving the education and treatment programs that make their reentry into society more successful. In the long-term, effective criminal justice reforms could protect public safety, reduce unnecessary spending, and help more of our people to participate effectively in our communities. For the full paper click HERE. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today