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

This bill creates an independent oversight office within Massachusetts' Office of Inspector General to address structural racism in correctional facilities, as recommended by a state legislative commission. The office, led by an appointed "anti-racism corrections inspector general," will collect and analyze data on racial disparities - including by race, ethnicity, language, gender identity, and sexual orientation - to monitor the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) incarcerated individuals and correctional staff. The inspector general must have expertise in structural racism and restorative justice, cannot have prior ties to the Department of Corrections, and will report findings to the legislature and public. This office will track progress in dismantling racial inequities in healthcare, programming, staffing, and facility operations.