Yesterday August 31st, Governor Maura T. Healey of Massachusetts embraced the call for criminal justice reform by nominating Sarah B. Coughlin, a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and current Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships at Mass General Brigham, to the Massachusetts Parole Board. Governor Healey also recommended four new pardons to the Governor's Council, further strengthening her commitment to a more just and equitable criminal justice system as reported by Mass.gov.
With extensive experience covering areas such as violence prevention, restorative justice, re-entry, substance use disorder, mental health services, and community engagement, Coughlin is expected to contribute her expertise and commitment to social justice to the Parole Board according to the press release. Coughlin expressed her gratitude for the nomination and her eagerness to work alongside her colleagues and the Healey-Driscoll Administration to create safer and more just communities.
This second round of recommended pardons includes Joanne Booth, Murphy Smith, Evan Willey, and Kenny Jean, each with unique stories and backgrounds. Booth, convicted in 1979 of assault charges, discovered her passion for early childhood education while completing community service hours at a nursery school. In 2021, over 40 years after her offenses, she was fired from her job due to a required background check from a grant her employer received. Murphy Smith, convicted of assault in 1988, has held various public service roles, but his criminal record has led to ongoing fears about future job prospects. Evan Willey served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged after being wounded in Afghanistan in 2012. Willey's 2009 conviction of Operation Under the Influence of Liquor prior to his military service limited his opportunities. The recommendations also include Kenny Jean, convicted of armed robbery in 2016 when he was homeless, who has since been actively making improvements in his life and working with nonprofits to give back to his community as stated in the press release.
