Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Expansion of Criminal Justice Data Collection Initiative

Boston — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced an expansion to the State’s Cross Tracking System, a groundbreaking initiative to standardize data collection and information sharing across Massachusetts’ criminal justice system. As part of a requirement under the 2018 Criminal Justice Reform (CJR) law, the newly expanded data dashboard now provides organized, aggregated data about charges and convictions for sentenced offenders in state and county correctional facilities. The latest expansion reflects an ongoing collaborative effort to improve data quality, enhance transparency, and inform public policy.

In 2022, the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) launched an online dashboard that provides population metrics from state and county correctional facilities. The most recent update to the data-driven initiative consolidates 256,000 records submitted by the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC), the State’s 14 County Sheriff Offices, and the Trial Court. The online data platform empowers users to visualize trends over a five-year period and consider demographic subsets of the populations by sex, race-ethnicity, and age. The public can also download datasets for independent study.

“Our administration remains committed to the successful implementation of this unprecedented, data-driven initiative designed to increase transparency, inform evidence-based policy decisions, and improve criminal justice outcomes,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The collaboration between the Trial Court and criminal justice agencies to standardize data collection and reporting will help us to better serve the community and advance the principles of a more fair and effective criminal justice system.”

“Good policy decisions rely on good data. The Cross Tracking dashboards provide a valuable tool to study patterns and develop responsive solutions that will improve outcomes and enhance public safety,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “I commend each of the partners for their contributions to this project.”

The 2018 criminal justice law mandated EOPSS, in coordination with the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS), to create a standardized data collection and cross tracking system for criminal justice agencies and the Trial Court. The system is intended to provide a streamlined, 360-degree view of an individual engaged with the criminal justice system using a statewide identification number, which creates reliable data to establish an individuals’ point of arrest to entry into a custodial institution and eventual release to parole supervision.

The integrated system required the development of uniform data collection and reporting standards across a broad range of criminal justice agencies and the Trial Court. In 2021, in collaboration with EOTSS, criminal justice agencies, the Trial Court, and the Justice Reinvestment Policy Oversight Board, EOPSS promulgated regulations to establish consistent data definitions, define the governance framework, develop outline integration requirements, and support technology, and develop operational and implementation procedures.

“In 2018, Massachusetts established an ambitious objective to enhance public safety through criminal justice reform. The Cross Tracking System exemplifies the remarkable dedication and teamwork invested in achieving this goal,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “I extend my gratitude to Undersecretary Kerry Collins and all the partners involved for their hard work and collaboration over these 6 years, as well as Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll for their commitment to building upon this essential work.”

EOPSS developed a phased approach to achieve the CJR mandate. After establishing regulations and consolidating correctional data from the DOC and county sheriffs, the inaugural dashboard debuted online. Subsequent dashboards display admission and release data from the DOC and county sheriffs; evidence-based programming from the DOC and county sheriffs; recidivism rates for re-incarceration, re-conviction, and re-arraignment, and most recently all charges and convictions for those sentenced individuals in the DOC and county sheriffs. The team has subsequently focused on improving data flow between partner agency record management systems which required extensive upgrades to comply with the new data standards. 

In the future, Cross Tracking will incorporate more comprehensive criminal justice data provided by the Trial Court, Probation, Parole, State and Local Police Departments.

“EOPSS and our partners in the Legislature envisioned a comprehensive Cross Tracking System that would present standardized data, provide transparency into the criminal justice system, inform policy conversations, and improve outcomes over time. Today, we’ve taken another important step in achieving that vision,” said Forensic Science and Technology Undersecretary Kerry Collins. “Looking ahead we continue to work with our partners to improve data quality of criminal justice records and provide the public with a transparent view of the criminal justice system.”

Statements of Support:

“At EOTSS we are always working on breaking down information silos to support more transparent, accessible, and reliable data for the public and policymakers,” said Technology Services and Security Secretary and Chief Information Officer Jason Snyder. “As Chair of the Justice Reinvestment Policy Oversight Board charged with monitoring the development and implementation of the collection, standardization, and public availability of criminal justice data, this expanded dashboard is encouraging progress. The cross-tracking system allows for deeper, more valuable insights into our criminal justice system, and we appreciate the collaboration with EOPSS to advance this critical project.”

“Increasing transparency and providing accessible information to the public are paramount in fostering trust and accountability within our justice system,” said Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi, President of the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association. “The launch of this public dashboard underscores our commitment to openness and collaboration in serving our communities.”

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