By Bob Katzen
The House, on a voice vote without a roll call, gave initial approval to a measure that would prohibit any prisoner from being transferred to another state and being required to work on labor projects in that state. The ban does not apply if the governor determines that an emergency in another state or territory creates the need for inmates or prisoners to be transferred from the Bay State and the prisoner agrees in writing to be transferred.
The measure was first filed in 2017 when former Bristol County Sheriff Tom Hodgson was planning to transport Bristol County prisoners across state lines to the nation’s southern border to help build President Trump’s proposed border wall.
Supporters said Massachusetts, unless there is an emergency and the prisoner agrees to go, should not be shipping prisoners to other states where the Bay State has no control over the prisoners. They said that rehabilitation works better in the local community where the prisoner has been.
Sponsor Rep. Tony Cabral (D-New Bedford) did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him why he filed the bill and how he feels about its passage.