Department of Correction Archives

No Opioid Settlement Funds Going To Massachusetts Prisons

The commonwealth will receive more than a billion dollars for opioid remediation—none of it is for the state’s most vulnerable drug-dependent population

CHRIS FARAONE October 7, 2025

Parole Board Questions Dying Prisoner On 30-Year-Old Murder, Not His Health

For James Ware, an extremely ill Department of Correction prisoner, a final chance at release after medical parole denial

ELIZA DEWEY September 17, 2025

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

The state’s last prison health care contract brought despair and congressional scrutiny. Our investigation indicates that the new vendor is off to a troubling start.

ELIZA DEWEY July 10, 2025

GRADING THE PAROLE BOARD

The Massachusetts Parole Board still faces big challenges despite making some improvements this past year. Its final member was approved this week, but is the body equipped to operate efficiently?

JEAN TROUNSTINE April 3, 2024

A “NEW HOPE”

What the Mattis decision means for parole in Massachusetts—unprecedented opportunities for release from life sentences, updated trainings for attorneys, and a big shift in the system

JEAN TROUNSTINE February 1, 2024

While Massachusetts seeks a contractor to provide healthcare services for people in state prisons, advocates are pushing for stronger oversight of private operators as incarcerated people describe “deplorable” neglect and mistreatment By Dan Atkinson and Jean Trounstine For the past six years, Massachusetts has paid more than half-a-billion dollars to

DAN ATKINSON & JEAN TROUNSTINE January 12, 2024

LAWMAKERS QUESTION MASS PAROLE PROCESS. CAN THEY IMPROVE THE SYSTEM?

Concerned about the “onerous conditions of parole” and longstanding cruel procedures, legislators and reform advocates push major legislative and cultural changes.

JEAN TROUNSTINE November 6, 2023

UNPRECEDENTED TESTIMONY

Prisoners Are Front And Center At Historic Legislative Hearing “It has been proven that these life without parole sentences aren’t improving anything in our communities and continue to cause harm to families as people are incarcerated.” The packed room at the State House on Tuesday, July 25, was not unusual.

JEAN TROUNSTINE July 31, 2023

PHONE CHECK

Mass is still gouging the families of prisoners on phone fees. Will lawmakers finally change that? For the past 10 years, Beverly Ross has spent hundreds of dollars a month on a middle-school teacher’s salary to ensure that her son knows his father, who is incarcerated in a Massachusetts

ASHLEY PETTUS April 11, 2022

INNER CITY WEIGHTLIFTING CREATES COMMUNITY FOR PEOPLE WHO SOCIETY HAS OTHERWISE DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY

“We can come here, chill. It’s like a family. And my friends are here with me.”

JEAN TROUNSTINE August 31, 2021