Our state spends far too much incarcerating a burgeoning prison population, and far too little addressing long-term unemployment in neighborhoods with high rates of crime, punishment, and re-entry. In fact, Governor Patrick has announced that, unless we dramatically change our criminal justice policies, we will build 10,000 new prison units in the next ten years.

New Start Project is partnering with EPOCA in building a campaign to do two things: 1). Stop the construction of even one more prison unit; and 2) Spend an equivalent amount ($200 million per year) on a jobs program targeting the 50 census tracts in Massachusetts with the highest rates of poverty and crime. In the short term (8 to 15 months), this campaign will build pressure on the Legislature and Governor to pass a slate of reforms such as our RMV bill and a repeal of “mandatory minimum” drug sentences, as well as other bills that are being advanced by our allies.

Organizations across Massachusetts will hold a massive rally on the Boston Common with 10,000 people present (one for each prison unit)on April 26, 2014. EPOCA members are collecting hundreds of signatures on our petition - $2 Billion for Jobs NOT Jails - our goal is to collect 50,000 signatures. If you have not done so already, please take a minute to click and sign our petition on the left hand side of the screen! You can help us collect signatures by clicking here to download our petition and print it out: