GBHBy Esteban BustillosApril 20, 2022 Advocates are calling for the end of a Massachusetts policy that allows men to be put in correctional facilities when they are involuntarily commited for treatment of substance use disorder. The practice, which is allowed under a statute known as Section 35, ended in 2016 for women but is still […]
Mass. legislators debate whether to fund addiction programs that lock people up
WBURBy Deborah BeckerApril 21, 2022 Massachusetts lawmakers are debating whether to continue supporting programs that put people inside jails and prisons for addiction treatment. Both Gov. Charlie Baker and the House leadership have proposed setting aside roughly $23 million in the budget for such addiction programs. But State Rep. Ruth Balser has filed budget amendments […]
Involuntary substance abuse programs at Mass. jails, prisons amount to ‘inhumane’ treatment, advocates say
Budget amendments target funding for Section 35 programs in Hampden County The Berkshire EagleBy Chris Van Buskirk, State House News ServiceApril 20, 2022 BOSTON — Involuntary treatment programs at jails and prisons in Massachusetts for people with substance use or alcohol disorders can create “inhumane” settings and lead to relapses post-release. That was the message […]