Priscilla Matos

Testimony in Opposition to Senate Bill 467 Presented by: Priscilla Matos Dear Members of the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, I am writing to respectfully urge you to oppose Senate Bill 467, which would impose mandatory minimum sentences for certain drug-related offenses. As someone with both lived experience and professional experience working in recovery, I have seen firsthand what actually helps people rebuild their lives—and what sets them back. New Hampshire has made meaningful progress in shifting toward treatment, recovery support, and evidence-based approaches to substance use disorder. SB 467 threatens to undo that progress. Mandatory minimum sentencing does not address the root causes of substance use. Instead, it removes discretion from judges, ignores individual circumstances, and places people into a one-size-fits-all system that often prioritizes punishment over healing. Recovery is not linear, and people need access to support, connection, and services—not extended incarceration. In my work, I support individuals who are trying to rebuild their lives after substance use, incarceration, or both. Many are already facing significant barriers, including housing instability, limited employment opportunities, and stigma. Mandatory minimum sentences only deepen these challenges by separating individuals from their families, interrupting treatment, and making reintegration even more difficult. Programs like recovery courts, peer support services, and community-based treatment have proven to be far more effective at reducing recidivism and supporting long-term recovery. These approaches hold people accountable while also giving them the tools and support they need to succeed. Mandatory minimums move us away from these solutions and toward policies that have historically failed. I am also concerned about the broader impact on our communities. When we invest in incarceration over treatment, we shift resources away from what is actually working. We risk increasing harm rather than reducing it. I ask you to consider the real people behind these policies—people who are working hard every day to change their lives. They deserve opportunities for recovery, not barriers that make that path harder. For these reasons, I strongly urge you to oppose Senate Bill 467. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Priscilla Matos