Lynn advocates rally for CORI law reform

BOSTON – Social advocates from Lynn joined a rally of more than 300 people at the State House Monday to seek reform of the state’s Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) system.According to the advocates, including members of the Lynn branch of Neighbor to Neighbor, the campaign to reform CORI has been ongoing for three years and could result in significant legislative change this year.Jose Hernandez, a spokesman for the Lynn group, said Neighbor to Neighbor has endorsed legislation, sponsored by Sen. Harriette Chandler of Worcester and Rep. Liz Malia of Boston, that would would simplify the process to seal CORI records, stop the dissemination of irrelevant outdated personal information and help employers better evaluate the risks and benefits of hiring someone with a CORI record.A CORI is generated when a person is arraigned on criminal charges. Originally created for use by law enforcement, the database is currently regarded as a screening tool by potential employers and landlords, which does not reflect the law’s intent, said Agustina Matos, a member of Neighbor to Neighbor’s Board of Directors.”If we want to solve the state’s economic crisis, we need to incorporate the production of thousands of workers who are prevented from living a normal life and getting a job because they have a CORI,” said Matos. “No human being is perfect. All of us should not suffer because some people made mistakes which they have spent much of their lives regretting.”Advocates for change contend CORI reform would generate thousands of dollars of new revenue in taxes paid by those with CORI records who were previously barred from employment. To help emphasize that point, about 100 people at the rally carried dollar signs representing the amount of money the state might receive if the law was changed.Gov. Deval Patrick was expected to testify at Monday’s public hearing before the Judiciary Committee in favor of reform and add it to his fall legislative agenda, Hernandez said.The committee also heard testimony from those opposed to changing the CORI system.”The current CORI system is broken and needs to be fixed,” Hernandez said.Certain states allow businesses to conduct a CORI background check for a fee. The reform movement would help ensure that records for some non-violent crimes are sealed, if eligible. About 750,000 criminal records in Massachusetts are public but could be sealed if the offenders knew they could do so, according to Rep. Katherine Clark, a Melrose Democrat who supports CORI reform.Clark said the governor’s CORI bill filed in May would reduce the waiting period for an offender who requests a record be sealed – from 15 years for a felony and 10 years for a misdemeanor to 10 and five years, respectively.Records of arrests and convictions for crimes such as murder, rape, assault and violations against children, the elderly or the disabled would remain permanently unsealed and available for review.