Warren Tolman Unveils Criminal Justice Policy For Massachusetts

Thursday, May 01, 2014

GoLocalWorcester Politics Team

Warrren Tolman, Democratic candidate for Attorney General, unveiled his criminal justice policy for the state of Massachusetts. Embracing a "Smart on Crime" approach, the policy focuses on rehabilitation and utilizing alternative sentencing.

Read Tolman's Action Plan for Criminal Justice Reform HERE

“I want to fight crime by doing it the right way. We must end the damaging cycle of incarcerating people, inadequately addressing underlying mental health and substance abuse issues, and returning them to society with the misguided hope that they will not return to crime. They are set up for failure.” Tolman said. “As Attorney General, I will take down criminals exploiting our state’s most vulnerable residents and ensure that offenders receive treatment so they are equipped to re-enter society.”

Social Reform

With disparities a civil rights issue, Tolman’s “Smart on Crime” plan recognizes that 97 percent of all offenders will one day return to society. His plan calls for expanded job training, education, and behavioral health treatment. With jails over capacity and estimates showing that taxpayers spend $47,000 each year to incarcerate an inmate, Tolman would work with legislators for the addition of more cost-effective problem-solving courts – including drug courts, veterans’ courts and mental health courts – which focus on treating the underlying issues of offenders. It is currently estimated that 80 percent of all inmates have an open mental health case or substance abuse disorder.

“We have to enforce mental health parity in order to confront the problems that so often accompany criminal behavior,” Tolman said. “As Attorney General, I will lead the charge to ensure parity in our health care system so that we are providing treatment that makes our communities safer and more stable.”

As Attorney General, Tolman would strengthen partnerships with state and local law enforcement and work to address campus sexual assault and tackle opiate abuse. Prosecuting cyber crimes, human trafficking, and predatory lending, Tolman would stand up and advocate for the Commonwealth’s vulnerable residents who may not have the means to protect themselves. Tolman supports more funding to increase the starting salaries of Assistant District Attorneys. Tolman would also advocate for more funding for police officers to receive in-service training.

"Warren Tolman has earned my support because he has been a progressive leader throughout his career," said State Representative Jay Livingstone, D-Boston, a former Assistant District Attorney in the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. "I'm confident that as our next Attorney General, he will be a strong advocate for criminal justice reform, including ending harmful mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent offenders."

Tolman has consistently supported reforming mandatory minimum sentences and focusing prisons on both punishment and rehabilitation, making the principles part of his 2002 gubernatorial campaign platform. As a state legislator, Tolman authored the address confidentiality law to protect the location of domestic violence victims from abusers. Tolman also sponsored the state’s Assault Weapons Ban in 1998 and fought for funding for neighborhood crime prevention programs.

Related Slideshow: Worcester Municipal Elections 2013: The Winners

The results are in. Joseph Petty retained his seat as Councilor-At-Large, and will remain Mayor of New England's second largest city. Let's take a look at the rest of the Worcester City Council following the completion of the Municipal Election.

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Mayor & Councilor-At-Large

Joseph M. Petty

Votes Received: 8,854 Mayor, 8,451 Councilor-At Large

Mayor Joseph M. Petty was elected to his ninth two-year term as Councilor-At-Large and his second term as Mayor of the City of Worcester. He is a graduate of Holy Name Central Catholic High School in Worcester, studied at Nichols College in Dudley, and received a law degree from New England School of Law in Boston.

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Councilor-At-Large

Kate Toomey

Votes Received: 8,133 (13.80%)

Councilor Toomey was elected to her fifth term, earning the second most At-Large votes. She has served as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Works, which considers all matters pertaining to streets, water, sewers, sanitation, recycling, snow removal and the construction of public buildings.

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Councilor-At-Large

Morris A. Bergman

Votes Received: 6,768 (11.49%)

The newly-elected Bergman is a practicing lawyer, a former prosecutor for the Office of the District Attorney-Middle District-Worcester and a past two term member of the City of Worcester Zoning Board of Appeals.

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Councilor-At-Large

Konstantina B. Lukes

Votes Received: 6,520 (11.07%)

Councilor Lukes served as Mayor of Worcester from 2007-2009, and is serving her twelfth two-year term as a Councilor-At-Large.She also served four two-year terms as a member of the Worcester School Committee.

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Councilor-At-Large

Rick C. Rushton

Votes Received: 5,720 (9.71%)

Councilor Rushton will return for a fourth term in the city council. He ha served as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Economic Development, he which considers all matters pertaining to economic development, neighborhood development, housing development, marketing, workforce development, zoning, planning and regulatory services functions of the City and energy.

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Councilor-At-Large

Michael T. Gaffney

Votes Received: 5,607 (9.52%)

Attorney Michael Gaffney was elected to his first term on the Worcester City Council. He is one of two newcomers to the council

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District 1 Councilor

Tony J. Economou

Votes Received: 2,464 (59.64%)

Councilor Economou will return to his District 1 seat for a second term. He has served as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Traffic & Parking,which considers all matters pertaining to traffic and parking ordinances and off street parking facilities.

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District 2 Councilor

Philip P. Palmeiri

Votes Received: 1,119 (55.84%)

Councilor Palmeiri will return to his District 2 seat for a seventh term. He has served as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Service & Transportation,which considers all matters pertaining to cable television and telecommunications, public transportation, street lighting, taxis and liveries.

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District 3 Councilor

George J. Russell

Votes Received: 1,454 (100.00%)

Councilor Russell ran uncontested, allowing him to retain his District 3 seat for a second term. He has served as Chairperson of the Standing Committe on Rules & Legislative Affairs, which initiates and reviews proposals for amendments to the rules of the City Council and any other matters affecting or determining the conduct of the City Council meetings.

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District 4 Councilor

Sarai Rivera

Votes Received: 1,100 (100.00%)

Councilor Rivera ran uncontested, and will be serving her second term as District 4 Councilor. She has served as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Youth, Parks & Recreation, which considers all matters involving youth, parks, playgrounds, recreation activities and Hope Cemetery.

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District 5 Councilor

Gary Rosen

Votes Received: 2,289 (54.08%)

Gary Rosen returns to the City Council after defeating incumbent William Eddy. Rosen had previously served five terms on the School Committee and three terms in the City Council.

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Gaming Proposals on the Ballot

Municipal ballot initiatitives in other regions of the state may have implications local to Central Massachusetts. Voters weighed in on proposals for casions in East Boston and Palmer on Tuesday.

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Palmer

Voters in the Western Massachusetts community of Palmer narrowly rejecting a bid by Mohegan Sun to build a resort casino in town.

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East Boston and Revere

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