HOST: I AM TORI BEDFORD.

TONIGHT ON GREATER BOSTON A LOOK AT THE NEWTON TEACHER STRIKE FIVE SCHOOL DAYS IN, AND A DARK MILESTONE FOR GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA.

I WILL TALK TO HER MOTHER ABOUT FIGHT FOR PROTECTION.

WHAT THAT BAN ON LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR DEFENDERS 21 YEARS OLD COULD MEAN.

COULD AN EXPANDED BOTTLE PLAN HURT ITS RECYCLING EFFORTS.

STUDENTS IN NEWTON WERE HOME FOR SCHOOL FOR THE FIFTH DAY AS THEIR TEACHERS STRIKE FOR HIGHER PAY AND BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS.

AT THE STRIKE IS ONE OF THE LONGEST OF ITS KIND IN RECENT MASSACHUSETTS HISTORY.

TEACHERS ARGUED -- >> WE ARE NOT BACKING DOWN.

WE ARE DOING THIS NOT JUST FOR A TEACHER OR SALARIES BUT FOR OUR STUDENTS.

WE ARE GETTING SOCIAL WORKERS IN EVERY SCHOOL.

WE WANT OUR AIDES TO BE PAID A FULL WAGE.

HOST: I AM JOINED BY REPORTER AND EDITOR MARK HURST.

PARENTS ARE FRUSTRATED, THIS IS BEEN GOING ON FOR SO LONG.

WHAT CAN WE TELL THEM.

WHEN WILL THIS COME TO AN END?

GUEST: I DO NOT HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THEY HAVE MADE PROGRESS ON PARENTAL LEAVE AND COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS FOR TEACHERS.

AS WE JUST HEARD IN THE CLIP TEACHER’S AIDES IS STILL A STICKING POINT, GETTING SOCIAL WORKERS IN EVERY SCHOOL MAY BE A STICKING POINT, AND THE TEACHER’S AIDES, WE HAD THE HEAD OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND YOU QUESTIONED HIM ABOUT THAT.

IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS AT LEAST ON THE TABLE RIGHT NOW IS BUMPING IT UP FROM THE STARTING FIRST YEAR SALARY FOR A FULL-TIME TEACHER’S AID FROM AROUND $27,000, THAT IS $30,000.

THAT IS STILL WELL BELOW A LIVING WAGE.

A LIVING WAGE FOR AN ADULT WOULD BE $44,000 A YEAR.

WHEN THEY SAY THEY WANT A LIVING WAGE FOR TEACHERS AIDES THAT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS QUITE A CHASM TO CROSS THERE.

HOST: YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR CONVERSATION WITH CHRIS WHO ARGUED THIS IS A COMPETITIVE WAGE FOR THOSE PARAPROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES, SO PEOPLE THAT ARE ASSISTING IN THE CLASSROOMS, HE SAID THAT IS ACTUALLY ABOVE AVERAGE FOR THAT ROLE, BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST STICKING POINTS IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS KEEPING PEOPLE OUT ON THE PICKET LINE?

GUEST: THEY ARE LOOKING FOR COST-OF-LIVING RAISES, AND LAST I HEARD FROM THE MOTHER UNION, THERE IS BEEN SOME PROGRESS MADE ON THAT.

THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS MADE ON INCREASING FAMILY LEAVE FOR TEACHERS, WHICH IS SOMETHING THEY ARE VERY INVESTED IN.

THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT GETTING ENOUGH, SO UNTIL THOSE ARE RESOLVED THIS COULD DRAG ON.

THIS HAS GONE ON, IT IS TIED FOR THE LONGEST RIGHT NOW AND OVER THE LAST 1.5 YEARS WE HAVE SEEN SIX DISTRICTS GO OUT ON STRIKE, ALL SUCCESSFUL IN THE END, AND THIS IS CERTAINLY THE LARGEST.

WE HAVE ALMOST 12 DOZEN KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL NOW FOR 90 DAYS IN A ROW.

HOST: WE TALKED ABOUT THE ROLE OF HEALTH TEACHERS AND SPECIAL EDUCATORS.

THIS IS SPECIAL EDUCATION TENURE -- TEACHER BRYAN RODNEY.

>> I WORK SO CLOSELY WITH UNIT C, SPECIAL ED AIDES WITHIN THE BUILDING, THESE PEOPLE ARE THE HEART AND SOUL OF OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY.

THEY SPEND THE MOST TIME PROVIDING THE MOST SUPPORT TO OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS.

SO I GOT INTO THIS FIGHT BECAUSE IT IS NOT OK THAT NEWTON, A WEALTHY COMMUNITY, IS ONLY PAYING THESE PEOPLE $27,000 A YEAR.

HOST: IT IS ILLEGAL FOR TEACHERS TO STRIKE IN MASSACHUSETTS AND COURT FINES ARE SUPPOSED TO TOTAL $175,000.

THERE IS LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN WRITTEN.

IS THERE ANY HOPE TO MAKE THESE STRIKES LEGAL, IS THERE ANY HOPE FOR UNIONS IN THAT REGARD?

>> IN A WORD, NO.

THE GOVERNOR IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THIS.

I DO NOT FORESEE A PATHWAY FOR HER TO BE CHANGING HER MIND ON THAT AS MUCH AS UNIONS WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT.

THESE FINES ARE LARGE, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OVER ALL OF THE STRIKES THAT HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN PLACE, BUT APPARENTLY THE UNIONS HAVE THE WARCHEST AND THEY ARE WILLING TO SPEND THE MONEY TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL STRIKE.

HOST: THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US UP-TO-DATE.

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING YOUR COVERAGE AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET TO A RESOLUTION.

THANKS SO MUCH.

SOON THE UNITED STATES WILL MARK AN ALARMING MILESTONE.

BY EARLY FEBRUARY MORE PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM GUN VIOLENCE HERE THAN IN ANY OTHER HIGH INCOME COUNTRIES.

THE FAMILIES IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE IN BOSTON CONTINUE TO COME TOGETHER TO WORK TOWARD PREVENTION.

TO SHARE MORE ON HOW THEY ARE WORKING TOWARD THEIR GOAL I AM JOINED BY ALEXIS SMITH, A DORCHESTER MOTHER WHO LOST HER SON TO GO TO VIOLENCE IN 2017.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND ACKNOWLEDGE AND SAY I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND ALSO FOR THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SPENDING SO MANY YEARS WITHOUT CLOSURE, BECAUSE NO ONE HAS BEEN CHARGED IN THE CASE.

IT HAS BEEN SEVEN YEARS.

>> IT IS GOING ON SEVEN DECEMBER 8, 2017 WILL BE SEVEN YEARS.

HOST: I AM SO SORRY.

I THINK THAT NIGHT HE WAS JUST CAUGHT IN CROSSFIRE, RIGHT?

HE WAS AT A BASKETBALL GAME WITH HIS FRIENDS AND MISSION HILL.

CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU REMEMBER FROM THAT NIGHT?

GUEST: I WAS GETTING READY TO ATTEND A FRIEND’S BIRTHDAY PARTY, AND I WAS JUST WALKING IN CIRCLES OF THE PRESENT REASON, AND I JUST FELT SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT BUT I COULD NOT PUT A FINGER ON WHAT THAT WAS ABOUT, AND SHORTLY AFTER I GOT A PHONE CALL STATING THAT MY SON HAD BEEN SHOT.

I HAD TO CALL TO FIND OUT WHERE HE WAS.

AT FIRST I WAS SENT TO THE WRONG HOSPITAL, THEN THEY DIRECTED ME TO THE RIGHT ONE.

SO I WENT THERE, AND WHEN I ARRIVED TO MY FAMILY WAS THERE, THE DOCTORS WERE THERE AND THEY BRIEFED ME ON WHAT WAS HIS CONDITION WHAT THEY WERE DOING TO TRY TO SAVE HIS LIFE.

THEY ALLOWED ME TO SEE THEM BRIEFLY AND I JUST PRAYED AND STEPPED OUT OF THE ROOM SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO TRY AND SAVE MY SON.

HOST: AND YOU HAVE BEEN KIND OF -- I DO NOT KNOW -- I CANNOT IMAGINE BUT JUST PROCESSING THIS AND ALSO COMING TOGETHER WITH OTHER SURVIVORS TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ISSUE.

JUST SEND THAT YEAR I THINK HE WAS ONE OF 14 HOMICIDE VICTIMS IN BOSTON UNDER THE AGE OF 20 YEARS OLD, AND WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT YOUTH VIOLENCE INCREASING AS A PROBLEM, BUT I WANT TO NOT TALK ABOUT IT AS A STATISTIC.

WHO WAS AMMEN?

GUEST: A VERY VIBRANT, LOVING GENTLEMAN WHO WAS A DIVISION I BASKETBALL PLAYER.

HE PLAYED FOR A TRAVELING BASKETBALL TEAM THROUGH A YOU CALLED THE BOSTON PART -- SPARTANS.

SHE WENT TO THE SCHOOL LOCATED IN DORCHESTER.

IT WAS A FULL DAY OF SCHOOL FROM 6:45 IN THE MORNING ALL THE WAY UNTIL 7:00 P.M. BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE KID’S AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM TO BE IMPLEMENTED INTO THEIR DAY TO COMBAT JUST DIFFERENT THINGS THAT COULD CREATE CHILDREN WHO STRUGGLE.

IT SO THEY CREATED A FULL DAY OF SUPPORT, AND ALSO IF A PARENT NEEDED HELP WITH HOMEWORK AND THEY WERE HAVING CHALLENGE IN THAT AREA IF THEY DID NOT FINISH, THEY PROVIDED EXTRA SUPPORT FOR THE CHILDREN, BOARDING SCHOOL, TRACK.

HE PLAYED FOR THEIR SOCCER TEAM AS WELL AS RUN TRACK FOR THEM, AND IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE.

SHE GRADUATED FROM THERE.

HE GOT AWARDS BECAUSE HE WAS JUST A VIBRANT PERSON AND BROUGHT A LOT TO HIS COMMUNITY, AND HE HAD A LOT OF AMAZING FRIENDS THAT LOVED HIM.

AND THAT HE HAD A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH.

AS HE LEFT THAT SCHOOL THINGS STARTED TO CHANGE FOR SOME REASON.

ALL OF THE SUPPORT THAT WE WERE GETTING THAT WAS VERY HEALTHY FOR HIM, EVEN GOING TO THE CAMP AT THOMPSON ISLAND.

HE HAD ALSO RECEIVED ANOTHER AWARD FROM THEM ON LEARNING HOW TO SAIL A BIG SAILBOAT.

HE WAS INVOLVED WITH A LOT OF PRODUCTIVE THINGS TO THAT SCHOOL, AND IT JUST CHANGE AFTER THAT FOR US.

HOST: YEAH, I MEAN THOSE ARE ALSO -- I THINK WHEN THE TOPIC OF GOING TO OR COMMUNITY VIOLENCE COMES UP, PEOPLE OFTEN TALK ABOUT THOSE KINDS OF PROGRAMS TO KEEP KIDS INVESTED IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND WORKING, AND DOING LIKE YOU MENTIONED, AND HE WAS DOING ALL OF THAT STUFF.

HOW HAVE YOU KIND OF -- I THINK YOU HAVE GIVEN BACK IN A LOT OF WAYS TO THAT KIND OF SUFFERING AND THE MOMS WHO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS IN THE WORK YOU HAVE HAD TO DO TO PROCESS THIS IS HEARTBREAKING, BUT HOW HAVE YOU KIND OF FOUND COMMUNITY AND ADVOCACY IN THE PAST SEVEN YEARS?

GUEST: WELL, IT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN DOING BEFORE THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND AMEEN.

I WOULD VOLUNTEER AT A SCHOOL AND SUPPORT THEM SINCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BECAUSE HE WAS STRUGGLING WITH SUICIDE, AND AT THAT TIME I WAS GOING TO SCHOOL AND WORKING BUT I HAD TO DROP EVERYTHING BECAUSE HIS LIFE COUNTED ON MY BEING A MOTHER.

BEING A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SPORTS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS IMPLEMENTED FOR CHILDREN IN MY COMMUNITY WHEN I WAS YOUNGER HAD CREATED THAT FOR ME TO CONTINUE TO BE A COMMUNITY MEMBER AND SUPPORT THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY, THE PEOPLE AROUND US.

IT IS A PART OF SOMETHING THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO PARTAKEN, SO WITH THAT HAPPENING MY PLAN WAS ALWAYS TO SAVE LIVES AND HELP FAMILIES.

WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL THAT WAS MY LEGACY, SO I DO IT NATURALLY BECAUSE IT IS WHO I AM, AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN PASSIONATE ABOUT FOR YEARS AND I DID IT WITH AMEEN AND HIS PEERS, SO I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO CONTINUE BECAUSE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY WHAT OCCURRED, I THOUGHT IF I COULD SHOW THEM WHY IT IS LIKE TO HEAL AND TO GET UP AND BE STRONG AND WALK IN THEIR SHOES.

AND TO HONOR THEIR LOVED ONE IN A VERY LOVING, KIND WAY, I CAN CREATE A CHANGE OF A NARRATIVE THAT IS BEEN GOING ON IN MY CITY FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

HOST: YOU GREW UP HERE AND YOU WERE A VICTIM OF GUN VIOLENCE WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD AS WELL?

>> YES, I WAS 12.5 YEARS OLD.

THIS HAPPENED ON HALLOWEEN IN 1994.

I WAS HEADING HOME FROM SPENDING TIME WITH FRIENDS, AND THERE WAS A DRIVE-BY SHOOTING AND I WAS RUNNING TRYING TO SAVE MYSELF AND BEFORE I COULD ENTER THE HALLWAY TO FIND COVERAGE THAT IS WHEN I FELT THE PELLETS.

OVER 30 SOMETHING PELLETS WENT INTO MY BODY AND MY LUNG COLLAPSED, AND I ALMOST DID NOT MAKE IT, BUT I AM GRATEFUL I AM HERE TO BE ABLE TO STILL DO THINGS IN LIFE, BUT IN MY FUTURE WAS ALTERED TO BECAUSE I COULD NO LONGER PLAY SPORTS.

THAT CHANGE A LOT FOR ME IN MY DIRECTION, BUT I STILL TRY TO BE GRATEFUL THAT I HAVE SOME LIFE AND FUTURE LEFT TO DO OTHER THINGS THAT I AM VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT LIKE THIS COMMUNITY WORK THAT I DO AND BEING AN AMBASSADOR AND DOING 3D HEALING ART AND WORKING WITH THE KIDS.

HOST: YOU MENTIONED THE LUCY BROWN PEACE INSTITUTE.

YOU WILL BE AT THIS EVENT ON SATURDAY, WHICH IS THAT THE IRVINE MINISTRY IN ROXBURY AT 1:00 P.M. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?

GUEST: MY PLAN IS TO CONTINUE TO SHARE HIS STORY AND BRING AWARENESS TO VIOLENCE AND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR CITY AND HOW PARENTS AND CHILDREN NEED MORE HANDS-ON SUPPORT IN OUR -- AND OUR OWN MENTORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES WHEN OTHERS ARE DROPPING THE BALL AND NOT SHOWING UP AND HONORING AND SHARING THE RESOURCES THAT ARE SENT HERE TO OUR STATE TO HELP FAMILIES WHEN THEY ARE COMING TO THEM AND SAYING, HEY, THIS IS MY DYNAMIC, THIS IS WHAT IS GOING ON, AND I NEED YOUR HELP.

AND THE CONSISTENCY OF SOMETHING THAT REALLY NEEDS TO CHANGE, SO I TRY TO BE CONSISTENT FOR PEOPLE AND SHOW UP FOR THEM BECAUSE I KNOW THAT IT CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES ON AN EVERYDAY BASIS.

SMALL THINGS THAT COUNT THEY SAY, SO ME SHOWING UP, IT HELPS.

AND THAT IS GOOD FOR ME TO KNOW THAT WHAT I DO IS GOING TO CREATE A DIFFERENCE FOR FAMILIES TOMORROW AND THE WAY THAT ME AND AMEEN ACTS, SO THAT IS MY GOAL FOR THIS SATURDAY IS TO BRING MORE AWARENESS AND LET MY COMMUNITY KNOW THAT I AM HERE AND TO SUPPORT THEM AND SHOW YOU THEM HOW YOU CAN TURN YOUR PAIN INTO PURPOSE.

HOST: THANK YOU SO MUCH, ALEXIS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THE MASSACHUSETTS PAROLE BOARD IS GIVING UP TO HEAR HUNDREDS OF NEW CASES AFTER THE STATE’S HIGHEST COURT BANNED LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR PEOPLE UNDER 21 YEARS OLD.

THE CHANGES RETROACTIVE SO PEOPLE NOW HAVE A CHANCE TO PROVE THEY ARE PERFORMED IN CAN SAFELY REENTER SOCIETY.

JOINING ME NOW IS THE NEWS REPORTED BEHIND THE STORY AND DIRECTOR OF THE COMMITTEE FOR PUBLIC COUNSEL SERVICES PAROLE ADVOCACY UNIT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

A DECISION LIKE THIS HAS NOT BEEN MADE SINCE 2013 WHEN MASSACHUSETTS MADE IT SO THAT PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 COULD NOT BE GIVEN A LIFE SENTENCE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE.

DOES THIS MEAN, AND TO DOES THIS AFFECT?

GUEST: IT IS THE FIRST KIND OF ITS DECISION IN THE NATION, AND I THINK SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE IS THAT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF TASKFORCES LOOKING AT BRAIN SCIENCE AND THE DECISION-MAKING FOR YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES WHEN THEY ARE YOUNGER, AND THEN SENTENCED AND SPEND THEIR ENTIRE LIVES BEHIND BARS, AND NOW PEOPLE ARE REALIZING, HEY, SOME OF THE SCIENCE PROVES THAT MAYBE THERE WERE NOT HAVING THE BEST DECISIONS AND THEY ARE CHANGED PEOPLE SINCE THEN, SO WE NEED TO CONSIDER THAT IN OUR POLICYMAKING.

HOST: THIS IS RELATIVELY NEW NEUROSCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OF THAT IS JUST BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THIS DECISION.

I SPOKE WITH STEPHANIE WHO WAS AT HARVARD AND HELPED WRITE THE PAPER THAT INFORMS HIM OF THIS RESEARCH, AND SHE WAS STAYING UP UNTIL THE AGE OF 25, I THINK SHE SAID YOUR FRONTAL LOBE IS NOT DEVELOPED, YOUR DECISION-MAKING ABILITY, AT THE INFLUENCE OF PEERS.

SHE SAID IT IS LIKE DRIVING A FERRARI WITH SMART CAR BREAKS.

YOUR ABILITY AND YOUR BRAIN TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS IS NOT FULLY FORMED INTO YOU WERE 25, SO IF IT WAS REALLY IN LINE WITH THE SCIENCE IT COULD POTENTIALLY GO EVEN HIGHER.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

THE STATE SAID THERE WERE AN ESTIMATED 200 PEOPLE THAT WILL BE ELIGIBLE.

SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE A LOT OLDER AND HAVE BEEN SERVING TIME ALREADY.

WILL THAT PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

GUEST: THERE ARE A LITTLE OVER 200 PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THIS COHORT WHO WERE 18 OR 19 WHEN THEY COMMITTED THE CRIME, AND WE DO NOT HAVE THE EXACT NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE PAROLE ELIGIBLE RIGHT AWAY, BUT IT IS OVER 100, SO THAT MEANS THEY ARE AT LEAST 100 PEOPLE INCARCERATED RIGHT NOW WHO NOW WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE THE PAROLE BOARD, AND THE PAROLE BOARD CAN DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE READY TO BE RELEASED BACK INTO SOCIETY.

HOST: I THINK FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, THE SUFFIX D.A., THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING FAMILIES WHO WERE IMPACTED BY THIS OR CONCERN SHOULD REACH OUT DIRECTLY TO HIS OFFICE.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THIS IS NOT A GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS WILL MEAN?

GUEST: THE PAROLE BOARD TAKES ITS RESPONSIBILITY VERY SERIOUSLY, AND PAROLE RELEASES ACCOMPANIED PROCESS, SO WHAT HAPPENS NOW IS WE WILL BE WORKING TO ASSIGN LAYERS TO EVERYONE WHO WILL BE PAROLE ELIGIBLE VERY SOON OR IS PAROLE ELIGIBLE, AND THE LAWYER AND THE CLIENT WILL BRING TOGETHER CLOSELY TO PREPARE THEMSELVES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE READY TO SHOW THE BOARD THAT THE RELEASE IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE WELFARE OF SOCIETY.

THROUGH THAT PROCESS THERE ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES, FOR THE VICTIM’S FAMILIES AND PEOPLE CONCERN FOR THOSE WHO ARE INVOLVED, AND ONE WAY THEY DO THAT IS THE PAROLE BOARD HEARING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND THERE IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO TESTIFY BOTH IN SUPPORT AND AGAINST PAROLE.

THE PAROLE BOARD MAKES DECISIONS VERY CAREFULLY, AND THEY DO GRANT PAROLE, BUT THEY ALSO DENY PAROLE, AND WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY DENY PAROLE IF SOMEONE GETS A CHANCE TO GO BACK TO THE BOARD SOME YEARS LATER AT AN INTERVAL THE PAROLE BOARD DECIDES.

HOST: THIS IS NOT JUST LIKE -- OBVIOUSLY THAT IS TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTING PAROLED.

YOU ARE STILL SERVING AT YOUR SENTENCE, JUST IN THE COMMUNITY, AND ANYONE DEEMED TOO DANGEROUS TO COEXIST IN SOCIETY WOULD NOT BE RELEASED.

GUEST: WOULD NEVER BE RELEASED.

HOST: THAT IS AN IMPORTANT POINT TO EMPHASIZE.

YOU HAVE BEEN IN YOUR REPORTING SPEAKING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED.

THERE IS A LOT OF JOY AROUND THIS AS WELL FOR PEOPLE WHO DIRECTLY WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED AND HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR OTHER OPTIONS OR DO NOT WANT TO BE JUDGED BY -- WAS IT RUTH GREENBERG THE ATTORNEY WHO SAID THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE JUDGED BY THEIR WORST DAY, RIGHT?

A MISTAKE THAT THEY MADE WHEN THEY WERE A TEENAGER.

WHAT ARE YOU CARING ABOUT PEOPLE DIRECTLY FROM THEIR CLIENTS?

>> IT HAS ONLY BEEN ABOUT 1.5 WEEKS SINCE THE DECISION CAME DOWN BUT PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED STARTED CHEERING FOR THE GRAPEVINE, AND RUTH MENTIONED AND OTHER PEOPLE MENTIONED PEOPLE ARE RELATED.

THERE ARE FAMILY MEMBERS WOULD YOU SAYING WHAT MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER OR SON BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS, AND IF THEY REALIZE MAYBE THEY WILL BE, IT IS JOY, BECAUSE THESE ARE FOLKS WHO HAD BEEN SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

YOU ARE NEVER GETTING OUT OF PRISON, AND NOW THERE IS EVEN A SMALL CHANCE THAT THEY COULD BE RELEASED FROM PRISON AND SERVE TIME IN SOCIETY, SO THAT IS A BIG CHANGE IN PERSPECTIVE NOT JUST FOR THE PRISONERS BUT FOR THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL.

HOST: SHE WAS SAYING IT IS PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN GOOD FOR THE SAKE OF BEING GOOD OR BEEN DOING ALL OF THE RIGHT THINGS AND REALLY TRYING TO REHABILITATE THEMSELVES IN CONDITIONS THAT ARE NOT INHERENTLY REHABILITATIVE, AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR OWN GROWTH THEY WILL BE REWARDED FIRST.

GUEST: I THINK OF THE ORDER THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE CONSIDERED TO GO BEFORE THE PAROLE BOARD SORT OF GOES WITH IT -- OF THE PAROLE BOARD WILL BE CALCULATING WHEN SOMEONE’S PAROLE DATE WOULD HAVE BEEN, SO IF SOMEONE IS A SENIOR CITIZEN WHO HAS BEEN INCARCERATED FOR DECADES, THOSE FOLKS WILL BE CONSIDERED FIRST TO GO BEFORE THE PAROLE BOARD, AND OTHER PEOPLE WILL BE CONSIDERED AFTERWARD, THAT I THINK IT IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE, AND I THINK IT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT STRAIN ON THE PAROLE BOARD, BUT THEY TAKE PLENTY OF TIME TO CONSIDER EACH CASE VERY THOROUGHLY.

GUEST: IT IS ALSO REALLY INTERESTING, WE CANNOT PREDICT IT WILL GO FIRST OR HOW THEY WERE GOING TO GO, BECAUSE WHILE WE WILL BE ASSIGNING COUNSEL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PEOPLE HAVE REASONS THEY MAY WANT TO TAKE THEIR TIME.

SOME PEOPLE WILL WANT TO RETAIN EXPERTS, FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST OR SOCIAL SERVICE ADVOCATES TO MAKE SURE THEIR RELEASE PLAN IS VERY STRONG, SO AT THE END OF THE DAY WE WILL SEE WHO GOES FIRST BUT WE ARE NOT SURE YET.

HOST: I HAD NOT CONSIDERED HOW THEY WOULD WANT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE BEST CASE.

IF WE CAN QUICKLY TALK ABOUT THE STRAIN ON THE PAROLE BOARD, THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT, RIGHT?

WOULD YOU BE LOOKING AT IN TERMS OF -- GUEST: WE WILL HAVE SOME PEOPLE IN THE GROUP WILL FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT COMING AS.

WE MAY SEE SOME HEARING TO THE FIRST FEW MONTHS.

MANY PEOPLE WILL WANT TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THEIR LAWYER.

THEY HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED FOR DECADES, SOME OF THEM ARE IN THEIR 80’S AND THEY WILL BE WORKING IN DECIDING WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THEM.

I AM THINKING PROBABLY SIX MONTHS FROM NOW WE WILL SEE A LOT MORE PEOPLE STARTING TO SCHEDULE HEARINGS.

HOST: THAT IS CRAZY TO THINK ABOUT PEOPLE IN THEIR 80’S.

GUEST: A LOT OF THESE HEARINGS BEFORE THE PAROLE BOARD ARE SCHEDULED WEEKS AND MONTHS OUT, SO THEY ALREADY HAVE A FULL ROSTER, AND IN THE PAST YEAR THEREOF ALSO BEEN MORE CLEMENCY REQUESTS AND ALSO TERMINATION OF ROLE REQUESTS THAT ARE ALL UNDER TABLE, SO THE REAL QUESTION IS WILL THESE BE BACKLOGGED OR NOT?

HOW ARE THEY GOING TO PRIORITIZE.

WILL THEY NEED ADDITIONAL PAROLE BOARD MEMBERS.

WILL THAT EVEN MATTER, AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT?

HOST: THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

FINALLY TONIGHT, STATE LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXPAND THE BOTTLE BILL, WHICH PUTS A RETURNABLE DEPOSIT ON CARBONATED DRINK CONTINUES TO PROMOTE RECYCLING.

IT WOULD COVER MORE BEVERAGES AND RAISE THE DEPOSIT AMOUNT.

ADVOCATES SAY IT COULD REDUCE LITTER BUT ALSO HER TO RECYCLING EFFORTS.

GREG HAS MORE.

>> LOOK OUT AT THE BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, IT IS GORGEOUS AND YOU LOOK DOWN, IT IS A GARBAGE PATCH RIGHT HERE.

>> MARY SAYS THEY WOULD BE A LOT LESS TRASH ON THIS BEACH OF ONE THING CHANGE IN MASSACHUSETTS, THE BOTTLE BILL.

>> IT IS MOSTLY CARBONATED BEVERAGES, AND IT DRIVES ME CRAZY, BECAUSE WE WOULD NOT SEE SOME OF THESE IF WE UPDATE THE BOTTLE BILL AND COVER THESE THINGS.

>> THE CURRENT LAW PUTS A DEPOSIT OF FIVE CENTS ON CONTAINERS OF CARBONATED DRINKS, SO WATER, ICE TEA AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER DRINKS ARE NOT INCLUDED.

STATE LAWMAKERS ARE CONSIDERING A BILL TO INCLUDE THESE IN A RACE THE DEPOSIT AMOUNT TO $.10.

>> SINGLE USE PLASTIC IS BEEN THAT OF CONTROL FOR THE LONGEST TIME.

>> MASSACHUSETTS HAS THE LOWEST BOTTLE REDEMPTION RATE IN THE COUNTRY, SO VOTERS SAY AND EXPENDED A BILL WILL CHANGE THIS.

>> HERE WE GO.

HE WAS AGAIN, FIVE CENTS -- HERE IS A CAN, FIVE CENTS.

>> THE REDEMPTION SYSTEM IS PAID FOR BY BEVERAGE COMPANIES.

YOUR CITY OR TOWN IS PICKING UP THE TAB.

THE EXPENSE WAS OFFSET BY THE VALUE OF THE MATERIAL COLLECTED, BUT THE VALUE OF THAT STUFF DROPPED, AND STARTING NEXT YEAR ARLINGTON WILL HAVE TO PAY A PROCESSING FEE FOR ITS RECYCLING.

>> NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT $100, ONE OF THE $25 PER TON.

WE IN ARLINGTON TO RECYCLE 5000 TONS PER YEAR, SO THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT JUMP IN WHAT OUR CAUSE WOULD BE.

>> ONE OF THOSE AGAINST THE BILL OR RECYCLING PLANTS THAT SELL BASED ON THE WEIGHT OF THE MATERIAL THEY COLLECT, SO TAKING BOTTLE SET UP RECYCLING HITS THE BOTTOM LINE TWICE.

>> WHEN YOU THINKING ABOUT EXPANDING A BOTTLE BILL YOU ARE RUNNING A REDUNDANT SYSTEM.

YOU ARE TAKING HIGH-VALUE MATERIAL OUT OF THE EXISTING RECYCLING STREAM IN PUTTING IT BACK ON THE CONSUMER TO DO THAT SORTING ON THEIR OWN AND MAKING IT LESS CONVENIENT FOR THEM TO GET THEIR PRODUCTS INTO THE RECYCLING STREAM AT AN ADDITIONAL COST.

>> AS FOR THE ISSUE OF REDUCING LITTER WELD SAYS THE TIME TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM IS BEFORE THE BOTTLES GET TO THE RECYCLING STAGE.

>> IT STARTS WITH THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCT OF LET’S NOT LET TO BEGIN WITH AND LET’S CARE ABOUT THE LIMIT REGARDLESS OF IT IS A $.10 RETURN OR NOT.

>> AN EXPANDED BOTTLE BILL HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE.

HOST: THAT IS IT FOR TONIGHT, BUT COME BACK TOMORROW FOR TALKING POLITICS.

ADAM REILLY WILL START -- TALK WITH THE REGIONAL CO-CHAIR FOR NIKKI HALEY AND WHETHER THERE WAS STILL A PATH TO VICTORY.

A LOOK AT THE GOVERNOR’S NEW BUDGET PLAN, HER PROPOSAL TO ALLOW CITIES AND TOWNS TO RAISE LOCAL TAXES AND THE $15,000 RAISES SHE IS GIVING TO MEMBERS OF HER CABINET.

THAT IS ALL FOR NOW.

THINK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.