2 Mass. prisons mishandled COVID and neglected prisoners, report by disability advocates claims

WBURBy Deborah BeckerMarch 28, 2022 Some Massachusetts prisons fell short in handling the coronavirus pandemic and neglected disabled and medically vulnerable prisoners, according to an investigation by the Disability Law Center. A new Disability Law Center (DLC) report released Monday examined coronavirus mitigation efforts within specialized medical units at MCI-Norfolk and MCI-Shirley. Among the more serious findings […]

Staffing shortages are hurting sick prisoners at Norfolk prison, advocates claim

GBHBy Sarah BetancourtJanuary 26, 2022 Attorneys and advocates for patients at a state prison’s critical stabilization unit, which houses prisoners who are sick or ailing, say they’re worried about the impact of low staffing levels on their clients. Prisoners and advocates report a nursing shortage and lack of a permanent medical director are affecting operations […]

Mass. trial courts to decrease jurors in pool, prioritize certain cases amid COVID-19 surge

GBHDecember 30, 2021By Sarah Betancourt Amid surging coronavirus rates, Massachusetts’ trial court system will make changes to which cases it hears, and how many jurors it calls up in January. The silver lining to some is that the trial system’s move to prioritize cases where people are already incarcerated could expedite their potential freedom. Elizabeth […]

COVID-19 outbreak spreads to 53 at Dartmouth jail

Cases among inmates and staff jumped by 18 over weekend New Bedford lightNovember 15, 2021By Abigail Nehring DARTMOUTH — At least 47 people incarcerated at the regional jail on Faunce Corner in Dartmouth and six staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 in an outbreak that began Nov. 1. Cases among inmates and staff jumped […]

Hearing shows setting matters for addiction, mental health care

State House News/MassLiveNovember 9, 2021By Katie Lannan BOSTON (SHNS) – Two sets of elected officials on Monday offered different visions on the role of correctional facilities in addiction treatment, an issue that has become part of the public debate over how to respond to the substance use and homelessness crises at Boston’s Massachusetts Avenue and […]

Press Release: Public Health & Human Rights for Mass. and Cass Coalition calls on Mayor-Elect Wu to take a health-centered approach to Mass. and Cass

PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS AND ADVOCATES PRESENT EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO INTERSECTING CRISES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BOSTON, November 3, 2021 – A new coalition of public health, addiction, housing, and civil liberties experts today called on Boston Mayor-Elect Michelle Wu to take a health-centered approach to the intersecting crises people are experiencing in the area of Melnea […]

Media Advisory: Medical, public health, and addiction experts to urge officials to take a health-focused approach at “Mass. and Cass”

MEDIA ADVISORY TODAY: Medical, public health, and addiction experts to urge officials to take a health-focused approach at “Mass. and Cass” BOSTON, October 27, 2021 – Public health and addiction professionals, advocates for unhoused people, and legal experts will gather today, October 27 at Bradston Street in Boston to urge officials to take a health-focused approach at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. The […]