prisons Archives

DISPATCH FROM THE DISASTROUS DOC HEARING ON ITS SNAIL MAIL OVERHAUL

Department in denial that officers smuggle in drugs. Prisoner advocates cry foul.

JEAN TROUNSTINE February 1, 2021

PRISON HORRORS BY THE NUMBERS

Mass respondents shed light on COVID atrocities in new national survey

SARAH BETANCOURT January 16, 2021

JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL EVENT ABOUT “TECHNICAL PAROLE VIOLATIONS” AND MASS INCARCERATION

How is this adding to mass incarceration and what does this mean during a pandemic?

BINJ ONLINE September 5, 2020

MASS CONSIDERS LEGISLATION TO AID PRISONERS, ENCOURAGE FAMILY CONTACT

“When COVID first started, I didn’t hear from him. You don’t know what it feels like to not know if your loved one is alive or dead.”

JEAN TROUNSTINE June 22, 2020

REMOTE JUSTICE: ON TRIAL IN ZOOM COURT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

“It’s impossible to advocate for someone [in court] over the telephone. … Anything you say or your client says is heard by everyone.”

JEAN TROUNSTINE May 19, 2020

LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCATES PUSH FOR MORE COVID-19 DATA FROM PRISONS

“It’s always helpful to have transparency in reporting data … Especially when we’re dealing with people’s health and safety, and when people are dying.”

SARAH BETANCOURT April 24, 2020

THE DYSFUNCTIONAL MASS PAROLE BOARD’S INEVITABLE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

“Most prisons and many jails have done very little to reduce the population density that puts both incarcerated people and staff at grave risk.”

JEAN TROUNSTINE April 21, 2020

ADVOCATES SUE, ARGUE IMMEDIATE DECARCERATION NEEDED TO SAVE LIVES

To keep people locked up despite the looming threat of coronavirus, officials are claiming prisoners lack community ties. Advocates and family members say that’s not the case.

JEAN TROUNSTINE April 2, 2020

ICE GIVES ITS CORONAVIRUS GUIDELINES, ATTORNEYS SAY IT’S NOT ENOUGH

“We look forward to seeing as many immigrants as possible released from detention—not just those with no criminal charges or convictions, but all who pose no public-safety risk.”

SARAH BETANCOURT March 19, 2020

HAMPDEN COUNTY’S PEPPER SPRAY PROBLEM

Use of force reports from the Hampden County Correctional Center reveal disproportionate use of chemical force against prisoners with psychiatric disabilities

SETH KERSHNER July 3, 2019