In light of the recent racial injustice and violence against young black and brown men and women, a group of community members are meeting with the Superior Court Justices in Massachusetts to develop strategies to improve treatment and outcomes in the judicial system. Too often they are treated unjustly and receive inequitable sentences for the same offenses committed by their black and brown counterparts. We are looking for partners who are committed and willing to work with us to prevent unfair practices that may have ongoing, detrimental effects, particular on the lives of young black men. Essential elements include, but are not limited to:

Confronting racial injustice: addressing unfair and inequitable treatment.
• Reduction of bail? Judges have a lot of discretion and task force can determine guidelines?
• Judges can't directly affect police, but what to do locally when young black men face police injustice?
• What to do about unequal legal representation by public defenders, and over-charging by prosecutors?

Representation: of black and brown people at various levels of the judicial and criminal justice system, including upper-level positions.
• Process to get more judges of color into the pipeline, and same for other positions
• How to overcome long-standing blockers like civil service rules?

Social services and Resources: provide contacts information and community resources, civil rights services, mental health services and educational and training opportunities.
• How can our criminal justice system measure access to appropriate training and community services that are culturally responsive to help support an equitable justice system?
• State collaboration on resources to move Randolph forward?
• State collaboration in general? Pull people together who have similar objectives?

Community Involvement: a commitment in providing opportunities to address community concerns and on-going dialogue between community members.
• What can judges do with regard to community involvement?
• How to start addressing issues that mix responsibility of judiciary, legislature, and police?

Please join the discussion on Feb. 11 at 4 PM, by registering in advance at the link shown in the flyer. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/randolph-community-conversation-tickets-138364787805