Massachusetts
Beaty: Ending discrimination against former felons in MA
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel “The Scarlet Letter,” Hester Prynne is branded with a scarlet “A” for her transgressions, forever marking her as an outcast. Today, in Massachusetts, a similar form of public shaming persists, hidden in plain sight. The label of “convicted felon” attaches a modern scarlet letter, perpetuating discrimination and stigma long after sentences are served.
In the Bay State, over 340,000 individuals – 6.4% of the adult population – carry this label. It’s a designation that not only reflects a past mistake but also dictates their future. The consequences are far-reaching, affecting employment, housing, education, and even family dynamics. This scarlet letter of felony convicts individuals to a life of second-class citizenship, where rehabilitation is stifled by systemic barriers. It’s a form of discrimination, plain and simple.
The effects are palpable. A study by the National Institute of Justice found that 60% of ex-offenders remain unemployed one year after release. In Massachusetts, the jobless rate for formerly incarcerated individuals is a staggering 27.1%, compared to 3.5% for the general population. This cycle of unemployment and poverty perpetuates recidivism, with 46.9% of Massachusetts inmates reoffending within three years.
Moreover, housing and education opportunities are also limited by the felony label. Public housing agencies and landlords often deny tenancy based on criminal records, leaving many with limited options. In education, a felony conviction can lead to ineligibility for financial aid and scholarships, hindering the pursuit of higher education and better job prospects.
The stigma extends beyond the individual, affecting families and communities. Children of incarcerated parents are more likely to experience emotional trauma, academic struggles, and eventual involvement in the criminal justice system themselves.
To break this cycle, Massachusetts must adopt a more rehabilitative approach. Decriminalization, expungement reform, and “ban the box” legislation are crucial steps towards reducing recidivism and promoting reintegration.
We can learn from states like California, which has implemented innovative reforms. Their Proposition 47, passed in 2014, reduced non-violent felony convictions to misdemeanors, affecting nearly 5,000 inmates. This move not only alleviated prison overcrowding but also saved taxpayers millions.
Massachusetts can follow suit by adopting similar measures. Our state should:
• Expand expungement eligibility to include more offenses
• Implement “ban the box” legislation in public and private hiring
• Increase funding for reentry programs and job training initiatives
• Provide incentives for landlords and employers willing to give second chances
Furthermore, addressing systemic racism within the criminal justice system is crucial. African Americans in the state are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, comprising 27% of the prison population despite making up only 7% of the state’s population. This disparity perpetuates cycles of poverty and violence that are devastating communities of color.
By taking these steps, we can begin to dismantle the scarlet letter of felony and foster a culture of rehabilitation. It’s time to recognize that individuals with felony convictions are more than their mistakes – they are our neighbors, colleagues, and fellow citizens deserving of a second chance.
Let’s work towards a Massachusetts where the label of “convicted felon” no longer perpetuates discrimination and stigma but instead serves as a testament to resilience and redemption.
Additionally, we must address the root causes of crime, such as poverty and lack of education. Investing in community programs and social services can help prevent criminal behavior before it occurs. This proactive approach can reduce the number of people entering the criminal justice system, alleviating the burden on taxpayers and law enforcement.
In conclusion, the scarlet letter of the term convicted felon is a modern-day symbol of shame and discrimination. By adopting a more rehabilitative approach and addressing systemic issues, we can break the cycle of recidivism and foster a more just society. Let us work together to create a Massachusetts where second chances are a reality, not a distant dream.
Ronald Beaty is a former commissioner on the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts orders DraftKings to pay $934K after it botched MLB parlay bets
A costly sportsbook screwup left DraftKings on the hook for nearly $1 million after Massachusetts regulators ordered the payouts tied to a botched MLB parlay scheme.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted 5-0 on Thursday to reject DraftKings’ bid to void $934,137 in payouts stemming from a series of correlated parlays placed during MLB’s 2025 American League Championship Series, according to Bookies.com.
A Massachusetts customer wagered $12,950 total across 27 multi-leg parlays on Toronto Blue Jays player Nathan Lukes, exploiting an internal DraftKings configuration error that allowed the bettor to stack multiple versions of the same bet into one wager.
DraftKings told regulators the bets should never have been accepted and argued the patron acted unethically by taking advantage of an obvious error.
Commissioners flatly rejected that argument.
The wagers were tied to DraftKings’ “Player to Record X+ Hits in Series” market during the seven-game ALCS between Toronto and Seattle.
Because of a misclassification inside DraftKings’ trading tools, Lukes was incorrectly labeled a “non-participant” rather than an active player.
That designation disabled safeguards designed to block bettors from parlaying correlated outcomes from the same market.
As a result, the bettor was able to combine multiple Lukes hit thresholds — including 5+, 6+, 7+ and 8+ hits — into single parlays, functionally creating an inflated wager on Lukes recording eight or more hits at dramatically enhanced odds.
The bettor also added unrelated, high-probability legs, including NFL moneyline bets, to further juice payouts.
Lukes ultimately appeared in all seven games and finished the series with nine hits, clearing every threshold.
Of the 27 parlays placed, 24 hit cleanly. Only three lost due to unrelated college football legs involving Clemson, Florida State and Miami.
During a heated exchange at Thursday’s commission meeting, DraftKings executive Paul Harrington accused the patron of fraud and unethical conduct.
Commissioners bristled. One of them, Eileen O’Brien, blasted DraftKings for casting aspersions on the bettor without evidence and said the situation did not meet the standard of an “obvious error.”
“An obvious error is a legal and factual impossibility,” O’Brien said. “This is an advantage that the patron took.”
She added that DraftKings’ internal failures — not the bettor’s conduct — created the situation.
“We need to seriously consider giving voice to the consumer and getting their half the story,” O’Brien said. “The compulsion to pay will in fact encourage compliance.”
Other commissioners echoed that view, emphasizing that it is the operator’s responsibility to ensure the integrity of its markets.
The commission noted that DraftKings acknowledged the root cause was internal — a configuration failure within its own trading tools — and not the result of a third-party odds provider or external data feed.
Upon discovering the error, DraftKings pulled the affected markets, left the wagers unsettled pending regulatory guidance and implemented corrective fixes.
The company said no other Massachusetts customers were impacted, though the same issue appeared in two other jurisdictions.
The Post has sought comment from DraftKings.
Massachusetts
Deadline nears for Massachusetts Health Connector enrollment
SPRINGFIELD — With just days left before the Dec. 23 deadline, state and local leaders are urging uninsured residents to enroll in health coverage through the Massachusetts Health Connector to ensure they’re protected in the new year. The cutoff applies to anyone who wants coverage starting Jan. 1.
The Health Connector — the state’s official health insurance marketplace — is the only place residents can access financial assistance and avoid misleading “junk” policies that often appear in online searches, according to a statement from the agency.
Officials say the enrollment period is especially critical for people without job-based insurance, gig workers, newcomers to the state and anyone seeking affordable, comprehensive health plans.
At a press conference Wednesday at Caring Health Center’s Tania M. Barber Learning Institute in Springfield, health leaders emphasized that most people who sign up through the Connector qualify for help paying premiums through its ConnectorCare program.
Audrey Morse Gasteier, executive director of the Massachusetts Health Connector, said the state has spent nearly two decades committed to ensuring access to health care and offering the most affordable coverage possible for everyone.
”And despite the federal challenges, we continue to do everything we can to offer coverage to everyone who needs it. Now is the time for people who don’t have coverage to come in, apply, and find out what kind of plan for which they qualify,” she said.
Open enrollment also gives current members a chance to review their coverage, compare options and make changes.
Recent changes in federal policy have caused shifts in coverage and higher premiums for many Massachusetts residents, creating uncertainty and concern, said Cristina Huebner Torres, chief executive vice president and strategy and research officer at Caring Health Center.
“During times like these, trusted, local support becomes even more essential, and our Navigators have been on the very front lines, helping residents understand their options, maintain coverage, and navigate a complex and evolving system,” Huebner Torres said.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts woman charged with DUI after Simsbury crash
SIMSBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — A Massachusetts woman was arrested Wednesday and charged with DUI after a crash in Simsbury, according to police.
The crash happened at around 2:15 p.m. on Hartford Avenue and Elm Street. Police responded to reports that one of the operators of the vehicles was unconscious, later becoming conscious.
Upon arrival, police found that operator, who was identified as 39-year-old Allison Beu of Southwick, Massachusetts, outside of her vehicle and interacting with the other involved parties.
The two occupants in the other vehicle were not transported to the hospital.
Beu was charged with DUI and failure to drive in proper lane.
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