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HD 5315

A communication from the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association (see Section 40 of Chapter 126 of the General Laws) submitting the aggregate data on the population of the Berkshire County Correctional Facility for the second quarter of calendar year 2025

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The bill formalizes quarterly, aggregate jail population reporting for Berkshire County Jail (Q2 2025) to comply with state law and share non-identifying data with key state office

Placed on file
0
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Bill Summary · HD 5315

Summary: Massachusetts Bill HD 5315

Overview

HD 5315 is a proposed communication from the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association (MSA) submitting the aggregate quarterly population data for the Berkshire County Correctional Facility for Q2 2025. The bill is classified as a proposed bill and was introduced on November 6, 2025. Its status is “placed on file.”

Purpose and Intent

  • To fulfill and/or report on the data collection requirement for jails and houses of correction as established in Massachusetts General Laws, Part I, Title XVIII, Chapter 126, Section 40.
  • Specifically, to provide an aggregate, non-identifying quarterly snapshot of the Berkshire County Correctional Facility population for the second quarter of 2025.
  • The report is produced in partnership with the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security (EOPSS) and uses data from the Commonwealth’s Criminal Justice Cross-Tracking System.

Key Provisions and Content

  • The bill compiles an aggregate quarterly population report for Berkshire County’s jail facility, covering the entire quarterly period (Q2 2025).
  • Data elements intended for collection (as described by Section 40) include:
    • Probation Central File (PCF) number
    • State Identification Number (SID)
    • Race and ethnicity
    • Offense-based tracking number (OBTN)
    • Type of release
    • Type of admission
    • Length of sentence
    • Jail credit from pretrial incarceration
    • Earned time
    • Program participation and outcomes during incarceration
    • Case disposition
    • Bail amount or reason if no bail is set
  • The report must be aggregate and contain no identifying information about individual inmates or detainees.
  • The report is to be delivered quarterly to:
    • Secretary of Public Safety and Security
    • Chairs of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary (House and Senate)
    • Chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security (House and Senate)
    • Clerks of the House and Senate

Data Definitions and Limitations

  • The bill references specific data definitions (e.g., PCF, SID, OBTN) and notes that these identifiers may lag due to dependence on data generated at first contact with the system and cross-agency data integration.
  • Important limitation noted: three data points (case disposition, bail amount, and bail reason if no bail set) originate with the Trial Court and are not always available to Sheriffs’ Offices. The MSA, in coordination with the Trial Court and EOPSS, is working to refine and electronically retrieve these metrics from the Cross-Tracking System.

Affected Parties and Impact

  • Primary affected entity: Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office (Berkshire County Correctional Facility).
  • Data systems involved: Massachusetts Cross-Tracking System and related state data partners (EOPSS, Trial Court).
  • Impact is informational and transparency-oriented, enhancing public reporting while recognizing data availability constraints for certain fields.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced and placed on file on November 6, 2025.
  • The ongoing requirement (per the underlying statute) is a quarterly reporting obligation; this bill demonstrates compliance for Q2 2025.
  • No new funding or enforcement mechanism is described; the measure centers on reporting and data sharing.

Summary in Plain Language

HD 5315 formalizes the Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office submission of its Q2 2025 jail population data as an aggregate, non-identifying report. It aligns with existing state law requiring quarterly data on jail populations and requires sharing with key legislative and executive bodies. While most data fields are obtainable, three key metrics tied to court decisions (case disposition, bail amount, and bail rationale) may require ongoing coordination with the Trial Court to be fully populated.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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