Bill > S1545

This bill establishes an independent Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Equity Unit (IDAREU) within the Office of the Inspector General to oversee and address issues of structural racism in Massachusetts correctional facilities. The key provisions include: 1. Creating an anti-racism corrections inspector general position appointed by the attorney general, state auditor, and chair of the Black and Latino Caucus, with input from a community advisory council. 2. Empowering IDAREU to investigate, inspect, and review all aspects of corrections operations related to structural racism, including data collection, grievances, and implementation of anti-racism standards. 3. Granting IDAREU broad investigative and enforcement powers, including the ability to impose fines, sanctions, and staff limitations on correctional facilities that fail to cooperate. 4. Requiring regular reporting to the legislature, governor, and attorney general on IDAREU's findings and recommendations to improve accountability and address systemic racism in the corrections system. 5. Prohibiting retaliation against incarcerated individuals or correctional staff who provide information or cooperate with IDAREU's oversight and investigations.