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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 14h

On 10/15, the legislature will hear testimony on a bill that will improve visitation access for incarcerated people and their loved ones. Current policies are overly restrictive and have caused visitation numbers to drop sharply since they were implemented. Please get involved!

Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 1d

On October 15th, the legislature will hear testimony on PLS' Dignity and Freedom Platform, including our bill that will help address structural racism in carceral settings. Learn more about the bill and how you can support the Dignity and Freedom platform, including by testifying at the hearing!

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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 2d

Next week, the legislature will hear testimony on PLS' Dignity and Freedom Platform , which is grounded in input from people who are in prisons and jails throughout the Commonwealth. There are several ways for you to get involved!

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Reposted by Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

"We are only allowed to own seven pairs [of underwear] in total. In order to exchange your state-allotted pairs for new ones, you must submit to a bunk search and an officer must verify to the property officer that you do not own more than seven pairs."

What It's Like to Have Your Period in Prison

Even at a women’s prison, your menstruation care needs may not be met.

prisonjournalismproject.org

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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 3d

PLS filed Caron v. Coppinger because our clients with Hepatitis C at a local jail were repeatedly denied treatment. Unfortunately, our clients are far from alone in this regard. Learn more about Hepatitis C in carceral settings: petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/10/06/w...

With Hepatitis C, We Are Only as Healthy as Our Jails - Petrie-Flom Center

In stark relief to countless Executive Branch assaults on American public health infrastructure and the passage of the “Big, Beautiful Bill” against medical guidance earlier this year, recent…

petrieflom.law.harvard.edu

Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 3d

On October 15th, the legislature will hear testimony on PLS' Dignity and Freedom Platform , which is grounded in input from people who are in prisons and jails throughout the Commonwealth. Check out this poster and guide to learn more about how you can support PLS' legislative advocacy!

Reposted by Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts

Prison Flow Project @prisonflowproject.bsky.social · 8d

Looking for something to do this #PeriodActionDay? The Prison Flow Project is hosting a webinar panel on periods in prison: how periods impact the experience of prison, how current policies hurt menstruators, and what we can do to make change. 10:30 am CT, October 11th! Sign up at bit.ly/4pzXKj5

PERIOD ACTION DAY 2025
Menstruation and Incarceration
The menstrual equity movement must recognize the menstrual health rights and needs of people who are incarcerated. Learn about the experiences of menstrual discrimination and injustice in prison and the roles you can play to address this crisis.
LIVE WEBINAR
Saturday, October 11th, 2025
Start at 10:30 AM CT/11:30 AM ET
For more info https://bit.ly/4pzXKj5
Co-hosted by Miriam Vishniac, PhD (Prison Flow Project) and Regan Moss, MPH (Menstruation & Incarceration Study)
EXPERT PANELISTS
Veronica Carrier - New Hour for Women and Children - LI, Reentry Recovery Advocate
Jennifer Toon - Executive Director of Lioness Justice Impacted Women's Alliance
Stacy Burnett - Senior Product Manager at ITHAKA

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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 6d

Over 80 advocacy orgs have voiced their opposition to the $360 million proposal to build a new women's prison in MA. Instead of new construction, we need investment in community-based alternatives that have proven track records of improving public safety. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/12/m...

Advocates, lawmakers urge Gov. Maura Healey to halt $360 million rebuild of women’s prison in Framingham - The Boston Globe

The project is an expensive misstep that ignores what inmates inside the state’s only women’s prison actually say they need, it said.

www.bostonglobe.com

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Reposted by Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts

Erika Uyterhoeven @electerika.bsky.social · 8d

I was grateful to be joined by Rep. Russell Holmes, Rep. Chris Worrell, and Mac Hudson from @plsma.bsky.social to discuss our bill creating an independent oversight office to combat structural racism in MA corrections.

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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 8d

Today, PLS' Race Equity Initiative (REICI) hosted a briefing about a bill that would address structural racism in corrections through increased transparency & accountability. Thank you to everyone who made today a success! If you would like to get involved with REICI, sign up at: plsma.org/JoinREICI

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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 10d

The state’s last prison health care contract brought despair and congressional scrutiny. A new investigation indicates that the new vendor, VitalCore, is off to a troubling start: horizonmass.news/2025/07/10/h...

Has The Inhumane And Costly Massachusetts Prison Health Care System Improved Under New Management?

The last Massachusetts prison health care contract brought despair. Our investigation indicates the new vendor is off to a troubling start.

horizonmass.news

Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 13d

Keefe Commissary Network exploits incarcerated people across the country, including Massachusetts. This article by incarcerated writer Chastyn "Nova" Hicks discusses how people earn pennies per hour but pay inflated prices for basics.
prisonjournalismproject.org/2025/09/02/p...

Keefe Commissary Prices Surge Up to 88%. Prison Wages Remain Frozen.

Incarcerated people making 35 cents an hour face challenges budgeting for commissary items when prices increase 88%.

prisonjournalismproject.org

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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 14d

Hear Nithya Badrinath of Jane Doe Inc. (JDI) speak about why JDI and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations oppose the proposal for a new $360 million "trauma-informed" women's prison. Follow the link in our bio or go to linktr.ee/pls_ma to learn more and get involved.

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Reposted by Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts

Worth Rises @worthrises.bsky.social · 16d

We stand alongside 15,000 people, 100 orgs, and Congress, urging the FCC to protect prison calls. Every delay means money stolen from families. connectfamiliesnow.com/stopthedelay
tinyurl.com/57su8w64

Advocates Urge FCC to Reverse Decision on Prison Phone Call Rates - Davis Vanguard

Nearly 15,000 individuals and over 100 organizations are urging the FCC to reinstate caps on prison phone rates after the agency suspended protections earlier this summer.

tinyurl.com

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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 16d

We hope that you can join us for our next legislative briefing regarding a bill that would address structural racism in corrections through independent oversight.

📅 Oct. 1
🕐 10:00 AM
📍 MA Statehouse, Room 222

Please register here: Plsma.org/Briefing

Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 20d

Suffolk County's jail and house of correction was riddled with issues during Sheriff Tompkins tenure, including increasing reports of staff brutality, issues with access to appropriate medical care, and multiple deaths. Read the full article here: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/04/m...

At Suffolk sheriff’s office, employees say a troubled history is repeating itself - The Boston Globe

In 2002, the sheriff resigned amid allegations of patronage and mismanagement, leading to cries for reform. Some say those problems have returned under Sheriff Steven Tompkins.

www.bostonglobe.com

Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 21d

A new report by Physicians for Human Rights explores solitary confinement in U.S. immigration detention with a spotlight on New England. Read the full report here: phr.org/wp-content/u...

Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 22d

At a recent event, PLS Attorney Leah Hastings spoke about increased immigrant detention in the region and the deplorable conditions at ICE detention centers. Learn more about PLS' immigration detention advocacy here: plsma.org/find-help/ic...

Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 23d

PLS Attorney Leah Hastings discussed immigration detention at a League of Women Voters forum, highlighting a report on 25 years of detention standard violations at Plymouth, worsened by tripled capacity under Trump. Learn more and get involved: www.southshore.news/p/plymouth-c...

Plymouth County Jail Immigration Detention Faces Scrutiny at Community Forum

League of Women Voters event brings immigration law enforcement discussions close to home

www.southshore.news

Reposted by Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts

The Marshall Project @themarshallproject.org · 23d

From blues to gospel, country to rap, people have been making music behind bars for decades.

Here’s why we should all tune in.

Redemption Songs: The Forgotten History of American Prison Music

From blues to gospel, country to rap, people have been making music behind bars for decades. Here’s why we should all tune in.

www.themarshallproject.org

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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 24d

Over 80 advocacy orgs have voiced their opposition to the $360 million proposal to build a new women's prison in MA. Instead of new construction, we need investment in community-based alternatives that have proven track records of improving public safety.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/12/m...

Advocates, lawmakers urge Gov. Maura Healey to halt $360 million rebuild of women’s prison in Framingham - The Boston Globe

The project is an expensive misstep that ignores what inmates inside the state’s only women’s prison actually say they need, it said.

www.bostonglobe.com

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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 27d

During a virtual press conference on Thursday, opponents of a state plan to invest $360 million into renovating MCI-Framingham — the state's only women's prison — called for that money to be invested elsewhere. Read the full article here: www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/l...

MCI-Framingham renovation opponents reveal where they say $360M should be spent

Prisoner rights advocates are calling for the state to redirect $360 million planned for a renovation of MCI-Framingham.

www.metrowestdailynews.com

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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 29d

Today we hosted a briefing for An Act relative to human rights and improved outcomes for incarcerated people (S.1651/H.2608) alongside lawmakers & heard testimony from incarcerated people in favor of the bill. To learn more and support PLS' work, please visit: plsma.org/what-we-do/l...

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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · Sep 9

Today is the anniversary of the 1971 uprising and massacre at Attica Prison. Lesser known are the series of related events that preceded and followed Attica, including in MA. Check out this film and discussion related to the takeover of Walpole prison in 1973: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFHM...

When the Prisoners Ran Walpole: 50 Years Later | Session One

When the Prisoners Ran Walpole: 50 Years Later Session One: Thursday, March 23 at 7:00pm Documentary Screening and Discussion: "3000 Years and Life" (1973), directed by Randall Conrad and Stephen…

www.youtube.com

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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · Sep 9

Prison populations are declining, but the focus remains on punishment over growth & re-entry preparation. 1 in 6 state prisoners are in max security, and lack access to programs, education, or training. On 9/10, join us for a briefing about a bill that would improve conditions: Plsma.org/Briefing

Legislative Briefing: An Act Relative to Human Rights and Improved Outcomes for Incarcerated People

Join Bill Sponsors Rep. Fluker-Reid, Sen. Cynthia Creem, Rep. Keefe and Sen. Eldridge of the Criminal Justice Reform Caucus, and view prerecorded testimony from

Plsma.org