Grace Ferguson v. Bristol County Jail & House of Correction (SPR 20220755)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records April 14, 2022 SPR22/0755 Lorraine J. Rousseau, Esq. Records Access Officer Bristol County Sheriff’s Office 400 Faunce Corner Road Dartmouth, MA 02747 Dear Attorney Rousseau: I have received the petition of Grace Ferguson of WBUR appealing the nonresponse of the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office (Office) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On March 17, 2022, Ms. Ferguson requested, “…records concerning sworn officers of the Bristol County Jail and House of Correction dating back to January 1, 2010” as follows: -All internal affairs cases of domestic violence, and -All internal affairs cases of sexual violence, including but not limited to rape and sexual assault. Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Ms. Ferguson petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/0755, was opened as a result. Despite being notified of the opening of this appeal, it remains unclear whether the Office has provided a response. Accordingly, the Office is ordered to provide Ms. Ferguson with a response to her request, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Access Regulations within ten (10) business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. Ms. Ferguson may appeal the substantive nature of the Office’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Grace Ferguson 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