PLS promotes the safe, humane and lawful treatment of MA prisoners through litigation, advocacy, and outreach.
Boston, MA
Joined December 2011
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Emerson Prison Initiative (EPI) provides a bachelor degree program for individuals incarcerated in MA. Starting in January, 15 men at Norfolk Prison will have the opportunity to earn a graduate certificate in a first-of-its-kind program offered by EPI. f.mtr.cool/i6lfk5fi9d
A major shortcoming of the recently passed PROTECT Act is its exception for the state prison system’s partnership with ICE.
Since 2007 the MA DOC has participated in the federal 287(g) program and, as part of its contract, regularly sends people exiting prisons directly into ICE custody.
Massachusetts can't claim to protect immigrants while actively funneling people from prison into a deportation machine that ignores due process and violates their rights. Massachusetts must end its 287(g) agreement. f.mtr.cool/cp2vcjtaxm
Emil Encarnacion, 29, died last week in a behavioral assessment unit at MCI-Norfolk. It would be the fourth BAU suicide since April 2025 and the third in that unit. State law defines restrictive housing as 22 hours a day of isolation. BAUs hold people for 21.
A proposed ICE detainer bill in MA would violate due process rights by keeping people locked up without legal authority. The MA supreme court ruled against this practice in 2017 for a reason -- it's unconstitutional. nbcboston.com/news/local/mas…
ICE detention isn't broken - it's working exactly as designed. PLS Staff Attorney Leah Hastings spoke with @WorldPeaceFdtn about the systemic abuses at Plymouth County, where even basic necessities are withheld to coerce deportation. worldpeacefoundation.org/blo…
Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts retweeted
Older people are locked up at a record rate in the US. Keep in mind that rates of medical problems are always *much* higher for older people.
Aging in prison is horrific. Is this how the government thinks aging populations should be treated? How does this make communities safer?
ALT Graph titled: Older people in state prisons are plagued with chronic health conditions
Yesterday, PLS' Race Equity in Corrections Initiative held a rally at the State House in support of legislation creating meaningful oversight of Massachusetts carceral facilities.
Learn more about the bill here: plsma.org/reicibill
Tomorrow, we hope you can join @EqualJusticeMA's #walktothehill to ensure there's funding for services for low-income residents facing civil legal problems through @CivilLegalAid. This funding is critical to organizations like ours.
Register here: equaljusticecoalition.org/wa…
Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts retweeted
📅 Save the date! On February 20, 2025, Unlock the Box and Human Rights Watch @hrw are hosting a virtual event to expose the human rights crisis occurring on U.S. soil every day. Solitary confinement is torture and leaves a devastating impact on individuals, communities, and our justice system.
You don't want to miss this insightful and powerful conversation between lawyers, human rights experts, activists, and solitary survivors. 💡 Click here bit.ly/40DHG5q to get notified about the event!
👀 Stay tuned for our speaker lineup announcement...
🎨 Artwork credit: 'Solitary Confinement' by anonymous person in solitary. From 'Drawing Alone: Making Art in Solitary Confinement' and 'Art and Art Therapy with the Imprisoned: Recreating Identity.'
Please join us tomorrow for the PLS Race Equity in Corrections Initiative's rally at the State House. We need your help advocating for legislation creating meaningful oversight of Massachusetts carceral facilities. Register here: plsma.org/reicievent
Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts retweeted
Congrats to the 2,500 people on this list and their loved ones! Thank you, @POTUS, for hearing advocates like FAMM and our allies, for recognizing the critical need for #SecondChances, and for using your powers to make them possible!
whitehouse.gov/briefing-room…
Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts retweeted
Join us on Monday Feb 10, 7-8:30pm for the Keeping Families Connected campaign Kick Off! KFC is launching our campaign to improve visitation for people who are incarcerated. We'll connect with others, share updates, and take action together. bit.ly/visitation2025
ALT JOIN US FOR A CAMPAIGN KICKOFF EVENT! Join us on Zoom, Monday February 10th, 7-8:30 pm, for an important update! We are launching our campaign to improve conditions for visits for people who are incarcerated and their loved ones. This legislation, a longtime companion bill to No Cost Calls, is being filed again, and we invite you to kick off this new year’s campaign. Connect with others, hear critical updates and upcoming action opportunities, and find ways to get involved. All are welcome! For other questions or to get in touch with us, please email [email protected]. RSVP at bit.ly/visitation2025. with "Keep Families Connected No Cost Calls" logo of speech bubble with outline of people and MA state.
On 1/23, join @EqualJusticeMA's #walktothehill to ensure there's funding for services for low-income residents facing civil legal problems through @CivilLegalAid. PLS Attorney Jesse White walks to help make MA better for everyone and you can too! equaljusticecoalition.org/wa…
The Keeping Families Connected coalition is hosting an online community meeting about legislation to improve visitation with people behind bars. We'll talk about the bill, the road to improving visitation, and what we can do now. Register here: bit.ly/visitation2025
Every year, @EqualJusticeMA organizes a #walktothehill to help ensure that there's funding for services for low-income residents who are facing civil legal problems through @CivilLegalAid. Register to participate here: equaljusticecoalition.org/wa…
Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts retweeted
Please spread far and wide A NEW GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL ALREADY MADE HISTORY BUT WILL IT BRING CHANGE TO MASSACHUSETTS? #mapoli
@BINJreports @Fara1
cc:@AbenedettiCPCS @CPCSnews @PLSMA
@BobMcGovernJr @JonathanCohn
@ProgressiveMass @PeoplesParity
horizonmass.news/2025/01/13/…
