WGBH Greater Boston: Sustaining An Emotional Life Line For Those Behind Bars

WGBH GREATER BOSTON: SUSTAINING AN EMOTIONAL LIFE LINE FOR THOSE BEHIND BARS While conversations about criminal justice reform have gained more traction recently, they generally have focused on issues of reducing the number of people sent to prison or jail. But advocates stress the need to also address conditions for those who are currently incarcerated, […]

Visits to Mass. prisoners fall sharply under new rules

The Boston Globe July 11th, 2019 By Mark Arsenault “Many studies have been done, including by the DOC, that correlate prison visits with reduced recidivism,” said Elizabeth Matos, director of Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts, a nonprofit advocacy group for inmates. Prisoners who receive more visits have fewer incidents of misconduct while incarcerated and a […]

Prison advocates applaud changes to state prison visitation policies

MassLive March 20, 2019 By Shira Schoenberg Advocates for prisoners are celebrating small changes the Department of Correction made to its prison visitation rules, even as they continue to press for far more significant shifts. “Some may say that this is a small little change, but we think it’s incremental change that says a lot about […]

New visitor limits for state-run prisons

March 9, 2018 The Lowell Sun By Rick Sobey SHIRLEY — The Middlesex County sheriff sometimes physically notices inmates getting ready for family visits. “They look forward to it, keeping themselves groomed for their families,” said Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian. Maintaining that face-to-face connection with their families is critical for an inmates’ successful re-entry to […]

Limit on Mass. prison visits is unfair punishment

March 2, 2018 The Boston Globe Among the factors that most influence recidivism rates among prisoners is their ability to maintain strong family ties. A review of studies found that in-person visits result in a 26 percent reduction in recidivism. The impact is higher for men: They experience a 53 percent decline. Family visits are also correlated […]

Massachusetts prisons will limit visitors for inmates

February 24, 2018 The Boston Globe By Mark Arsenault In reviewing the 16 years Bob Wojcik served in state prison, the Massachusetts Parole Board found a lot to like, particularly his commitment to rehabilitation and lack of disciplinary problems. But it was more than just his behavior inside the prison. The board twice cited Wojcik’s […]