MOVA Public Hearing: Offender Sentencing and its Impact on Victims of Crime

  • Tuesday, May 23, 2017
  • 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM

A Request for
Survivor Voices

Public Hearing: Offender Sentencing and its Impact on Victims of Crime

Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA)

Victim and Witness Assistance Board

Tuesday, May 23rd from 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Saltonstall Building – 100 Cambridge Street, Boston

The Massachusetts Legislature is preparing to debate several legislative proposals to change sentencing and offender supervision practices.  The Victim and Witness Assistance Board (Board) and MOVA want to learn from your experience to help inform these important discussions.  We will hold a public hearing for survivors to share the impact(s) of the following: Sentencing; Incarceration;     Probation; Parole supervision; and Restitution.

Please share your experiences following the conclusion of your criminal case and the impact on you, your family, and community.  Some questions to consider 

  • How did the sentence and/or offender’s release conditions impact your safety, well-being, and/or sense of justice?
  • What was/is your experience with victim notification? What worked? What could be addressed?
  • What did you appreciate during the post-conviction process? What do you wish could change? Was the offender ordered to pay restitution to you? Did you receive it? What was the impact?

The Board also welcomes testimony from direct victim service providers, including victim witness advocates and community-based providers, on the impact these issues have on crime victims and the services offered by providers. 

In-person testimony will be limited to 3 minutes and will be recorded.  To register, please email MOVA@state.ma.us.  PLEASE NOTE: Valid photo identification will be needed to enter the Saltonstall Building.

Please email submissions to MOVA@state.ma.us with the subject line “MOVA Public Hearing” by May 24th.

Please direct any questions or requests for accommodations to Christopher Klaskin, MOVA’s Director of Public Affairs, at (617) 586-1354 or Christopher.Klaskin@state.ma.us.

A FEW NOTES FROM JDI:

  • Written submissions of testimony are strongly encouraged for survivors unable to attend. No language interpretation services will be provided so individuals would need to bring along their own interpreter. There will be accommodations for the deaf/hard of hearing. 
  • The hearing is open to all folks regardless of the extent of their involvement with the criminal justice system. it is open to family, friends or others as well who want to have a voice about their experiences with these systems.
  • This is not a hearing about specific proposed legislation although there is legislation being considered currently on these issues.