COMMUNITY POLICING & CARCERAL REFORM

Conversations across the MCAN Network that focus on community safety are often in response to the impact of an inequitable and unjust justice system on Black and Brown residents of the Commonwealth. Throughout the work of our affiliates, we work for justice in a redemptive, grace-filled spirit that introduces accountability and healing.

DARRC, Brockton City Hall

Brockton Interfaith Community (BIC) incubated the work of the DARRC Coalition committed reimagining policing. Their work continues to shed light particularly on several injustices that involve the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office. 

BIC’s Second Chance Justice (SCJ) campaign helped to bring home William Allen and Ramadan Shabazz from life without parole sentences. As SCJ is now working for clemency reform and to bring others home, we find encouragement and hope in the Executive Clemency Guidelines released by Gov. Maura Healey on October 31, 2023.

Pioneer Valley Project continues to educate and amplify community voices in response to police misconduct and the U.S. Department of Justice’s investigation of the Springfield Police Department that resulted in a Consent Decree. They are also currently working with behavioral health agencies to bring an unarmed crisis response model to the city to divert non-violent and non-criminal 911 calls. And, like their sister affiliate to the east Worcester Interfaith, PVP is also addressing the need to remove School Resource Officers, sworn law-enforcement officers with arrest powers who are armed and/or carry other restraints like handcuffs.