Funder: Massachusetts Probation Service -for a collaboration between the Massachusetts Parole Board and Massachusetts Department of Corrections

Project Team: Gina Vincent, PhD (PI), Spencer Lawson, PhD (Co-I), Ira Packer, PhD (Co-I), Kayla Carew, BS

Description: The Law & Psychiatry Program is the independent evaluator for this collaborative effort to examine the length and cause of delays in the release of incarcerated persons from custody following a parole release decision over three fiscal years in Massachusetts. This is a comprehensive data analysis project that also involves gathering information about barriers to release on parole from incarcerated persons, parolees, and staff from the DOC and Parole Board. The Law & Psychiatry Program also will assist the state agencies with implementing a plan for reducing delays as informed by the evaluation.