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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts

@plsma.bsky.social

290 followers 240 following 190 posts

Prisoners' Legal Services promotes the safe, humane and lawful treatment of Massachusetts prisoners through litigation, advocacy, and outreach.

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

Incarcerated people need your help ending harmful confinement in MA. There're many ways you can get involved:

🎫 Attend events,
📣 Contact your legislators to advocate for reform,
📧 Sign up for PLS' Policy Team mailing list,
🥇All the above!

Learn more and get started here:
linktr.ee/pls_ma

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

PLS' final testifier at today's hearing was Maheeb Rabbani who spoke in support of An Act Relative to Human Rights and Improved Outcomes for Incarcerated People (S.1651/H.2608). Learn more about our work at: plsma.org/links

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

At today's Public Safety Hearing, PLS' Mac Hudson spoke alongside a panel of advocates about An Act Creating an independent correctional oversight office to facilitate the recommendations of the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Correctional Facilities of the Commonwealth.

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

PLS' Dr. Alice Bukhman testified today alongside a panel of medical providers in support of An Act Relative to Elder and Medical Parole, which will take a two pronged approach to addressing some of the most pressing issues we face in caring and advocating for a sick and aging prison population.

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

Happening Now: PLS' Nikki Louis testifies in support of An Act to build restorative family and community connection. Visitation is crucial for the well-being & successful reentry of incarcerated people yet visit numbers have dropped precipitously due to DOC policy. This bill would ensure access.

Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 4h

Today, PLS Staff are on Beacon Hill to testify in favor of bills that would improve public safety in Massachusetts. Learn more and get involved at: plsma.org/links

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

People incarcerated in MA spend up to 21 hours a day in their cells.
Tomorrow, the legislature is holding a hearing on PLS' Dignity and Freedom Platform. S.1651/H.2608 would ensure out-of-cell time, health care access, and safe conditions.
Learn more!

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Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts @plsma.bsky.social · 5d

MA is the only state housing involuntary addiction commitments in jails—though they've committed no crime. Research shows this increases overdose risk by 1.4x after release. S.1402/H.2197 would move these commitments to clinical facilities.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/10/o...

Jail is no place for addiction treatment - The Boston Globe

But the state still needs more beds for involuntary commitments.

www.bostonglobe.com

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

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 · 7d

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!

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

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 · 8d

"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 · 9d

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 · 9d

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 · 14d

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 · 12d

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 · 14d

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 · 14d

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

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

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 · 19d

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 · 20d

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 · 22d

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 · 22d

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 · 26d

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 · 27d

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 · 28d

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...