Dan Winslow Named Member of Commission to Study Mass. Criminal Justice System

Medfield's State Representative, Dan Winslow (R- Norfolk), has been chosen to join a special commission to study the Massachusetts criminal justice system, which will review aspects of the state’s criminal justice system, including prisoner classification, probation, overcrowding in prisons, the recidivism rates, and juvenile detention centers, among other things.  

The commission will begin meeting this month and will submit a report by the end of March 2012 with recommendations for improving the criminal justice system.  

“There are many sections of the Massachusetts criminal justice system that could be upgraded and improved to better serve the citizens of the Commonwealth,” said Winslow. “We are facing problems with overpopulation in prisons, sentencing guidelines and treatment of juveniles that need to be addressed. I am eager to be a part of a commission that is going to help improve our penitentiary systems.”  

Winslow’s district, which includes portions of Medfield, Millis, Walpole and all of Norfolk Plainville and Wrentham, contains four correctional facilities.

The commission will also include Sen. Patricia Jehlen, Sen. Stanley Rosenberg, Sen. Richard Ross, Rep. Kevin Murphy, Rep. Chris Markey, a representative of the Attorney General, a representative of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, a representative of the Massachusetts Sheriffs Association, a representative from the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association, Chief Counsel of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, a representative of the Massachusetts Bar Association, a representative of the Boston Bar Association, a representative of the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and three representatives appointed by Governor Deval Patrick.