Bodhisattva Skandha v. Massachusetts Parole Board (SPR 20190592)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor ofR ecords April 4, 2019 SPR19/592 Stacy Book Massachusetts Parole Board 12 Mercer Road Natick, MA 01760 Dear Stacy Book: I have received the petition of Bodhisattva Skandha appealing the non-response of the Massachusetts Parole Board (Board) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § IOA; See also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically on February 19, 2019, Mr. Skandha requested a "complete parole file including the years 1973 to present." The Public Records Law The Public Records Law strongly favors disclosure by creating a presumption that all governmental records are public records. G. L. c. 66, § lOA(d); 950 C.M.R. 32.03(4). "Public records" is broadly defined to include all documentary materials or data, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any officer or employee of any town of the Commonwealth, unless falling within a statutory exemption. G. L. c. 4, § 7(26). Current Appeal In a letter to this office dated March 25, 2019, the Board states, "[o]ur office will send his records in the order his request was received. Also, we will send a letter to Mr. Skandha further clarifying that his request is for personal, not public records, and will be handled accordingly." Conclusion In light of the Board's March 25th letter, this office encourages the Board and Mr. Skandha to communicate further to enable the Board to provide the requested records. If umesolved issues remain, Mr. Skandha may appeal the substantive nature of the Board's response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1 ). One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Stacy Book SPR19/592 Page 2 April 4, 2019 Sincerely, ~ Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Bodhisattva Skadha Courtney E. Doherty, Esq.