July 8, 2017 The Boston Globe By Yvonne Abraham We like to think of ourselves as enlightened here in Massachusetts. But when it comes to how we treat inmates in our jails and prisons, a bunch of other states have us beat — including Maine, led by governor Paul LePage, who has spoken longingly of bringing […]
It’s time to fix solitary confinement, before more abuse occurs
By Adrian Walker The Boston Globe January 9, 2017 The enduring appeal of solitary confinement as an option is easy to understand. It seems to make sense that removing troublesome criminals from the general population might deter bad behavior, or at least make it easier to manage. But that isn’t what the evidence suggests. States […]
Advocates: Mass. unlawfully isolates mentally ill inmates
By Maria Cramer and Jenna Russell The Boston Globe December 31, 2016 One inmate, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, became so distraught after months in the prison’s isolation unit that he began talking to himself and counting compulsively. Another, who suffers from schizoaffective disorder, declined so much in isolation that he smeared himself with feces. A third, […]
Advocates push for limits on Massachusetts’s use of solitary confinement
By Shira Schoenberg MassLive June 17, 2016 A growing group of advocates is pushing for changes to Massachusetts’s solitary confinement policies, as several bills move slowly through the legislative process. The Pioneer Institute think tank joined the call recently with a new policy brief arguing that Massachusetts should restrict the use of solitary confinement, provide regular […]
The Deplorable State Of Solitary Confinement In Massachusetts
By Bonnie Tenneriello and Daniel Medwed WGBH February 22, 2016 In late January, President Obama announced historic changes in how the federal prison system uses solitary confinement—or “segregation” as it is euphemistically called within Massachusetts’ prison system. He cited research showing that the practice can lead to “devastating, lasting psychological consequences.” Solitary confinement, he said, “doesn’t […]