Prisoners deserve human rights.

Currently in our Massachusetts state prisons, prisoners are not given access to rehabilitative services or standardized care. Some prisoners are in situations where they are “allowed only one hour a day outside“ (WBUR). “Current Massachusetts law defines restricted housing as a housing placement where a person is confined to a cell for more than 22 hours per day”(Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts). Restricted housing is reported to cause serious mental distress and disproportionately affects people of color, and mentally ill individuals. It’s not only the housing that the system messed up, but it’s everything. At least 142 people died from not getting medical care while in the custody of the DOC when they should have been on medical parole. In an investigation of the Massachusetts Department of corrections it is stated, “MDOC fails to provide constitutionally adequate supervision to prisoners in mental health crisis. MDOC fails to provide adequate mental health care to prisoners in mental health crisis. MDOC’s use of prolonged mental health watch under restrictive housing conditions, including its failure to provide adequate mental health care, violates the constitutional rights of prisoners in mental health crisis. MDOC’s lack of policies and inadequate officer training contribute to inadequate supervision for prisoners in mental health crisis.” Something must be done to give these people the rights they deserve.

Representative Brandy Fleuker-Reid introduced Bill, H.2608, and Cynthia Creem introduced Bill, S.1651. Both these bills aim to improve rehabilitation opportunities in the state prisons. They will enforce education and training programs, ensure adequate cell temperatures, provide access to water, and require vital data reporting on prison individuals. Bills H.2608 and S.1651 aim to improve the lives and outcomes of individuals incarcerated in Massachusetts state prisons. This also looks like at least six hours outside of a cell to congregate and/or spend time outside, for 5 days of the week. To get these bills into action, Massachusetts residents need to contact their legislators an urge them to support them.

Mia Dimino

Westfield