The Eagle Tribune: Lawrence legislators, UTEC back bill to improve education behind bars

June 6, 2025, The Eagle Tribune

BOSTON — A bill on educational programming for incarcerated emerging adults was filed by Payano and Rep. Frank Moran, D-Lawrence, and calls for the enhancement of educational programs for incarcerated individuals aged 18 to 25 in state prisons and county lockups. Also speaking in favor of the bill were individuals affiliated with UTEC, a Merrimack Valley nonprofit 

whose mission is to reduce recidivism and advance criminal justice reform. Amari Pope and Hamsa Berrior, provided testimony in support of the legislation before a joint committee recently. “When I was 16, I was incarcerated and placed in DYS,” said Amari Pope. “When I was finally released eight years later, I came home with nothing but the clothes I had on and $50. I had no resources, no documents I needed, and no direction. I’m here today because I believe everyone deserves access to consistent education and programming—especially young adults in the system. If I had been given that kind of access during those critical years, I might not have come home with nothing, forced to figure it all out on my own.”