Deborah Becker
WBUR
Boston, MA, United States
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Past articles by Deborah:
In a 1st for Massachusetts, some correction officers at this max security prison wear body cameras
Fifty officers of the 450-member correctional staff at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster have been outfitted with the devices for the first phase of a $1 million program designed to increase transparency and improve safety in the prison. → Read More
BU disputes reports it created a potentially dangerous pathogen
Boston University researchers are disputing reports that they improperly tested a version of the coronavirus, raising concerns about the potential creation of a new pathogen. → Read More
Man charged in mother's death dies in New Bedford jail
State police are investigating and the cause of death has not been determined. → Read More
Mass. legislators debate whether to fund addiction programs that lock people up
Massachusetts lawmakers are debating whether to continue supporting programs that lock people inside jails and prisons for addiction treatment. Both Gov. Charlie Baker and the House leadership have proposed setting aside roughly $23 million in the budget for such addiction programs. But State Rep. Ruth Balser has filed budget amendments to eliminate the funding entirely. → Read More
William Allen granted parole with life sentence commuted
The second man to have his life sentence commuted by Gov. Charlie Baker will be released on parole. → Read More
Baker administration defends criminal justice work; claims improvements in multiple areas, despite criticism
The Baker administration is firing back at critics of its efforts to improve the criminal justice system. Administration officials say the state is taking steps to implement the steps outlined in the Criminal Justice Reform Act of 2018 and additional police legislation passed last year — despite complaints by advocates. → Read More
Rollins outlines priorities as state's new US Attorney
Don't expect a so-called "do not prosecute" list from Rachael Rollins in her new role as Massachusetts US Attorney. → Read More
Rachael Rollins to be sworn in as U.S. attorney on Monday
After almost a year vacancy, Massachusetts will officially have a U.S. attorney next week. But it does not appear that the federal government will provide her with the additional security she requested after receiving threats. → Read More
Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins prepares to take over as Massachusetts U.S. attorney
Rollins tells WBUR that she has received several threats after the U.S. Senate debate over her confirmation. → Read More
Essex County Sherriff's Department suspends visitation at Middleton jail amid COVID outbreak
There are 57 active cases among those in custody, and 8 cases among staff, a spokesperson said in a statement. → Read More
So Far, More Than 1,000 People Have Died Of Opioid Overdoses In Mass. This Year
The preliminary data presented to the state Public Health Council Wednesday also indicated that the powerful opioid fentanyl was present in 92% of the overdose deaths through the first quarter of this year. → Read More
'I'm Tired Of Waiting': Sonia Chang-Díaz On Why She's Running For Governor
WBUR's Morning Edition spoke to her after she kicked off her candidacy Wednesday with a series of events across the state. She said she's entering the race to try to bring systemic change, and that "we can't wait any longer." → Read More
Janey Fires Boston Police Commissioner White After Legal Battle
Acting Mayor Kim Janey fired Boston police Commissioner Dennis White Monday after White lost a legal battle to block his removal last month. → Read More
Order On The Dance Floor: Mass. Courts Bring Jury Trials To Ballrooms Due To COVID
Up a large winding staircase, under a massive chandelier, just past the grand piano are ballrooms filled with lawyers, court officers, a judge and a jury. This scene is one of seven satellite court locations the Trial Court is using to safely resume jury trials in the pandemic. → Read More
State Rescinds Medical Parole After 2 Men Appeared To Recover From COVID-19
Nelson Rodriquez, 57, and John Stote, 61, were granted medical parole in January. After appearing to recover from COVID-19, both men were taken back into state custody on Monday. A spokesman for the state's parole board said in a statement that, "By statute, medical parole is reserved for those inmates who are terminally ill or permanently incapacitated." → Read More
Some Boston Business Leaders Call For Action On 'Mass And Cass'
From March 2 to April 5, police say there have been 16 stabbings, one shooting and two homicides in the area. Because of the violence, the city has temporarily closed what was called a "comfort station" outside the Southampton Street Shelter. → Read More
Mobile Clinics Help Deliver Coronavirus Vaccine To Hard-To-Reach People
For the past two months, UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester has held mobile clinics twice a week at sites around central Massachusetts where people might have a tough time traveling to get a shot. → Read More
Cambridge Votes To Decriminalize Psychedelics And All Controlled Substances
The policy order, approved by Cambridge city councilors Wednesday night, also seeks to decriminalize all controlled substances. The move makes Cambridge the second Massachusetts city to pass such a measure. → Read More
State Still Negotiating With DOJ Over Handling Of 'Mental Health Watches' In Prisons
Negotiations continue between Massachusetts correction officials and the Justice Department over last year's scathing federal report on mental health treatment in the state's prisons. → Read More
Two More Mass. Prisoners Die Of COVID, DOC Reports
Six prisoners have died of the disease in the past three weeks, and fourteen state prisoners were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Friday morning. → Read More