Criminal Offender Record Information
Encyclopedia
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) is a record of all criminal court appearances in Massachusetts
for a particular individual, including arrests, convictions, dismissals, and serious violations. Nearly 1.5 million CORI reports are issued each year.
On August 6, 2010, Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a strong anti-crime package that reforms the state's criminal offender records information system (CORI), aiming to “to improve employment opportunities”.
Currently, one must wait 15 years for a felony and 10 years for a misdemeanor after final disposition (the date probation is finished) to apply to the Office of the Commissioner of Probation and have this record sealed. If however, during this time that individual receives even a minor citation, such as a traffic ticket for more than $50, he or she must wait an additional 15/10 years. As of 2010, a reform bill is in the state legislature, which would reduce these periods, while making CORI clearer and easier to obtain online. The reform is endorsed by some police chiefs, who believe it will help reduce recidivism.
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
for a particular individual, including arrests, convictions, dismissals, and serious violations. Nearly 1.5 million CORI reports are issued each year.
On August 6, 2010, Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a strong anti-crime package that reforms the state's criminal offender records information system (CORI), aiming to “to improve employment opportunities”.
Reform controversy
CORI has been controversial because information that a person has committed or been accused of committing a crime makes it difficult to obtain housing, employment, loans, insurance, entrance to college, or become a guardian or foster parent. The Massachusetts Alliance to Reform CORI, Boston Workers' Alliance, EPOCA and Neighbor to Neighbor, amongst other groups advocate for various changes, including quicker sealing of older records. Reform advocates call the reports flawed and difficult to interpret. CORIs display all court arraignments - regardless of the eventual outcome of the case - and advocates say this in effect turns all criminal histories into "life sentences". They also point out that the social and economic impact of CORI affect the children of former offenders.Currently, one must wait 15 years for a felony and 10 years for a misdemeanor after final disposition (the date probation is finished) to apply to the Office of the Commissioner of Probation and have this record sealed. If however, during this time that individual receives even a minor citation, such as a traffic ticket for more than $50, he or she must wait an additional 15/10 years. As of 2010, a reform bill is in the state legislature, which would reduce these periods, while making CORI clearer and easier to obtain online. The reform is endorsed by some police chiefs, who believe it will help reduce recidivism.
Further reading
- Bayles, Cara, "The Revolving Door: What's the Commonwealth doing to keep former prisoners from returning to jail?", Weekly DigWeekly DigBoston's Weekly Dig sometimes just called the Weekly Dig or even just the Dig is a free alternative newsweekly found in Boston, Massachusetts. It offers commentary on music, arts, politics, technology, film, sex, food, drink and more, as well as local bar, entertainment and club listings, and...
, Boston, May 15, 2008.
External links
- "Massachusetts Law about Criminal Records", Law Library, State of Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts Alliance to Reform CORI
- "Boston Workers Alliance"
- "Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)" - MassLegalHelp
- "The Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick Committee"
- "The Crime and Justice Institute"
- "The Boston Foundation"
- "How to Read a Criminal Record", Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2009.