An Act creating an independent correctional oversight office to facilitate the recommendations of the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Correctional Facilities of the Commonwealth

HD 1680 creates an independent oversight office called the Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Equity Unit (IDAREU) within Massachusetts' correctional system. The bill establishes an "anti-racism corrections inspector general" appointed by the attorney general, state auditor, and Black and Latino Caucus, with specific qualifications including 5+ years of anti-racism expertise. It also mandates a 10-member community council requiring representation from BIPOC incarcerated individuals, formerly incarcerated people, family members of incarcerated people, and those directly impacted by structural racism. This office will monitor and address structural racism in correctional facilities, which the bill identifies as affecting BIPOC incarcerated people, staff, and their intersecting identities like LGBTQ+ status or immigration status.