Bill > H4652

This bill aims to address decarceration and COVID-19 concerns in Massachusetts. Key provisions include: 1. The Parole Board must review the cases of individuals within 6 months of their initial parole eligibility date or who have been denied parole, and immediately release those who pose no immediate physical threat to the community. This includes paroling individuals incarcerated due to technical parole violations, those within 6 months of parole eligibility, and those previously denied parole. 2. The Department of Correction and Sheriffs must work with public health officials to ensure appropriate health and safety measures are implemented in all correctional facilities, including minimizing cell sharing and providing enough medical quarantine beds and staff. 3. The Commissioner of Correction and public health officials must provide incarcerated individuals with essential hygiene products, free phone calls and emails, and daily access to recreation time to mitigate the effects of prolonged austere conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, until the pandemic is declared over or a vaccine is developed and administered.