The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee is attempting to grapple with the fallout from a report that documented evidence of widespread political patronage in the department.
BOSTON – Massachusetts lawmakers are set to hear from the public on a slew of bills designed to overhaul the state’s probation system.
The Judiciary Committee has scheduled a Statehouse hearing Wednesday as officials grapple with the fallout from a report released last year that documented evidence of widespread political patronage at the Probation Department.
The report concluded there was “an understanding” between certain legislators and former Probation Commissioner John O’Brien linking appropriations for the department to O’Brien’s willingness to give jobs to applicants recommended by the lawmakers.
That report sparked calls from Gov. Deval L. Patrick and House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo to revamp the department’s hiring and promotion policies.
The Supreme Judicial Court unveiled changes to the department last month that it says will guarantee “a fair system” for hiring and promotion.
More details coming in The Republican.