WBURJanuary 11, 2022By Deb Becker There is continued fallout from a lockdown at the state’s maximum security prison two years ago. A federal class action lawsuit, filed by advocacy group Prisoners Legal Services (PLS) of Massachusetts, accuses state correction officials of violently retaliating against prisoners at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Shirley after an assault on a […]
Suit alleges parole board has ‘blanket practice’ of denying requests to end supervision
WBURNovember 30, 2021By Deborah Becker It was 14 years ago that Dion Young was released from prison. Since then, he said he’s complied with all conditions of his parole and is working full-time and mentoring at-risk youth. At 51 years old, he decided to ask that his parole be terminated, a move allowed under state […]
SJC urged to reduce prison population during COVID
SJC urged to reduce prison population during COVID DOC says 81% of inmates vaccinated; zero active cases September 10, 2021Commonwealth MagazineBy Shira Schoenberg THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION is not doing enough to prevent the spread of COVID-19 because it has failed to take meaningful steps to reduce its prison population, prisoners’ rights advocates are charging in […]
Legislators, advocates call for Mass. prison reforms after Spotlight investigation into excessive force allegations
Legislators, advocates call for Mass. prison reforms after Spotlight investigation into excessive force allegations August 16, 2021The Boston GlobeBy Mark Arsenault Advocates and legislators are calling for reforms to the Massachusetts prison system, in response to a Boston Globe Spotlight story on Sunday that highlighted a raft of excessive force allegations by prisoners at the […]
The Taking of Cell 15
The Taking of Cell 15 A look at secrecy, assaults, and accountability inside Massachusetts’ maximum security prison The Boston GlobeAugust 14, 2021This story was reported by Mark Arsenault, Matt Rocheleau, and Spotlight editor Patricia Wen. It was written by Arsenault. The five-member Department of Correction tactical team strode purposefully down the P2 cellblock of the […]