Letter to the editor: support Patalano for Middlesex DA

To the editor:

Last year, a friend suggested we stream a movie on Netflix by Ava DuVernay called 13th. The movie title refers to the 13th amendment, which forbids involuntary servitude—thus ending slavery—except as a punishment for crimes. DuVernay’s documentary forcefully demonstrates the perpetuation of slavery since the Civil War through the criminalizing of behavior and convict leasing. The footage is raw and painful, and the interviews are powerful and moving.

Having opened my eyes to the injustice in our criminal legal system, I set out to learn more. The more I learned, the more troubled I became. I learned about the injustice of imposing bail on defendants charged with minor infractions who are too poor to pay, resulting in pre-trial incarceration. I learned that these defendants often lose their homes, jobs, and even their children due to their incarceration. I learned that in Massachusetts, young adults make up 10 percent of the general population but nearly 30 percent of people arrested. I learned that Massachusetts incarcerates people of color at a rate over five times that of whites. 

And importantly, I learned that the DA’s office is the key to reforming the criminal justice system. While the recent Massachusetts justice reform legislation was a significant step in the right direction, the power to bring charges, impose bail, recommend sentencing, provide evidence, and set prosecutorial policies still rest with the District Attorney.

This is why I’m supporting Donna Patalano for Middlesex DA. Donna understands the legal implications of the criminal justice system from both sides as she served as both defense attorney and as a prosecutor. Donna is committed to:

• Expanding the use of diversion and restorative justice programs
• Focusing on ways to reduce the incarceration of young people by creating a Juvenile and Emerging Adult Bureau
• Increasing transparency and equality by collecting and releasing data on prosecutions
• Prioritizing fairness and ethical prosecutions over severity of sentencing

Donna vision is to transform the District Attorney’s office into one that values transparency, accountability, fairness, racial justice, community engagement and fiscal integrity and she has the experience to make it happen. I hope you’ll join me in voting for Donna in the Democratic primary on September 4.

Sincerely,

Laura Berland
Hillside Rad, Lincoln

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