For the implementation of the recommendations set forth by the Council of State Governments Justice Center -- Massachusetts Criminal Justice Review including, but not limited to, the establishment of new programs and expansion of existing programs targeted at recidivism reduction; provided, that the trial court shall transfer funds to other commonwealth agencies and departments as outlined in this item; provided further, that not less than 15 days before any such transfer, the trial court administrator shall notify the house and senate committees on ways and means; provided further, that if no state agency or department is specifically designated to receive funds from this item, the trial court administrator shall distribute funding based on the recommendations of the Council of State Governments Justice Center -- Massachusetts Criminal Justice Review; provided further, that not later than March 3, 2026, each state agency or department receiving funds from this item shall submit a report to the executive office for administration and finance and the house and senate committees on ways and means detailing, as applicable, participation, completion and recidivism rates, delineated by gender; provided further, that the department of correction shall expend not less than $637,500 to expand recidivism reduction programming; provided further, that not later than March 3, 2026, the department of correction shall submit a report to the executive office of public safety and security, the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on the judiciary on the types of recidivism reduction programs provided, participation, completion and recidivism rates for said recidivism reduction programming; provided further, that the report shall be delineated by gender and include descriptions of new programs offered to women as a result of these funds; provided further, that not less than $345,000 shall be expended on grants administered by the executive office of public safety and security to support the expansion of evidence--based cognitive behavioral programs in county houses of correction and jails; provided further, that the secretary of public safety and security shall award grants on a competitive basis and applicants shall provide a plan for ensuring that proposed programs shall be implemented with fidelity to a research--based, evidence--based or evidence--informed program design; provided further, that if there is no existing research or evidence supporting the proposed program, applicants shall describe in detail how the program will be evaluated with sufficient rigor to add to existing research; provided further, that the sheriffs' offices that receive grant funds shall report participation, completion and recidivism rates annually to the executive office of public safety and security; provided further, that the report shall be delineated by gender and include descriptions of new programs offered to women as a result of these funds; provided further, that not later than March 2, 2026, copies of the report shall be provided to the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on the judiciary; provided further, that funds shall be expended to improve collaboration between the department of correction and the parole board to reduce delays in the release of incarcerated persons approved for parole; provided further, that not later than March 2, 2026, the department of correction and the parole board shall submit a joint report to the executive office for administration and finance, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on the judiciary detailing the: (i) implementation process; (ii) number of incarcerated persons who experienced delayed release in fiscal year 2025 compared to prior fiscal years; and (iii) average length of delays in fiscal year 2025 compared to prior fiscal years; provided further, that not less than $130,000 shall be expended to: (a) evaluate the caseload of parole and probation officers; (b) hire new officers accordingly; and (c) expand programs and services at community corrections centers; provided further, that not less than $2,300,000 shall be expended for a transitional youth early intervention probation pilot program to be administered by the office of the commissioner of probation; provided further, that not less than $45,000 shall be expended to improve case management and data--tracking capacity in the office of the commissioner of probation; and provided further, that not less than $5,075,000 shall be expended in conjunction with the executive office of health and human services to develop and implement a behavioral health strategy, including statewide capacity to track the utilization of behavioral health care services and behavioral health outcomes for persons in the criminal justice system within the Medicaid management information system
