"Working to
Build A Better Community"
"The
probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not deter us from the
support of a cause we believe to be just."
~ Abraham Lincoln
cori legislation
WHAT IS CORI?
Criminal
Offender Record Information, or CORI, is the name of the system (and the
document itself) that stores the record of every criminal charge issued
in the courthouses throughout Massachusetts.
The
Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB) is the agency
that oversees the CORI system.
The statutory language that created CORI was written in 1974 in an effort to police and restrict access to criminal records in order to protect the privacy of those who have committed crimes.
CORI REPORTS
CORI makes
individual criminal records readily available to law enforcement agencies in
Massachusetts. It is also widely used by public agencies, private
corporations, and individuals who are eager to conduct background checks.
Each person convicted of a crime in Massachusetts has a record of that crime
placed on their CORI report. The reports also include information regarding
any subsequent court proceedings and final outcomes of the case.
ACCESS TO
CORI
REPORTS
There are
limits on who can access CORI. In Massachusetts, CORI information is mainly
used by criminal justice and other government agencies such as schools and
Public Housing Authorities that have been empowered by specific statutes to
access CORI reports. CORI is also accessible to members of the general
public if the CHSB is convinced that providing access to this information is
in the public interest. Any individual can access his or her own CORI by
contacting the CHSB.
CONSEQUENCES OF
CORI
REPORTS
CORI
records often prevent ex-offenders’ from gaining access to housing and
employment. Many employers will not hire otherwise qualified applicants who
have CORI records, regardless of the skills or character of the applicant.
The stigmatization of people with CORI records makes it very difficult for
ex-offenders to live as productive citizens and support their families.
CORI records create a significant barrier for applicants to public housing. The government agencies who administer public housing will often summarily reject applicants who have CORI records. Applicants can appeal the rejection of their applications, but the appeals process is complicated and time-consuming. By obstructing an ex-offender’s access to housing, CORI makes it very difficult for an ex-offender to transition back into the community upon release from prison.
For more detailed information about the administration of the CORI statute and how it affects the lives of Massachusetts citizens, please click here.