PLS' Executive Director Dave Rini recently joined Matthew Tottenham on his podcast, The W-Number, to discuss the crisis of deaths in custody and other systemic issues across MA's prisons and jails. You can view the full episode here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVoy...

Lifer's Group Inc. advocates for evidence-based systemic change in MA's carceral system. A report on the DOC's expenditures & staffing levels explores how the DOC's staffing and expenditures continue to grow but directly impacted people do not benefit. You can read the full report at: Lifersreport25

Please join PLS in advocating to push the House versions of our Dignity and Freedom Campaign bills out of Committee as originally drafted! Easily contact your House Representative to ask them to urge the Public Safety Committee Chair to advance the bills here: Plsma.org/takeaction

PLS' Brutality Team is investigating the recent death of Shacoby Kenny at the South Bay House of Correction due to the reported circumstances surrounding his death. Incarceration must not be a death sentence. www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...

PLS' Executive Director Dave Rini recently joined Matthew Tottenham on his podcast, The W-Number, to discuss the crisis of deaths in custody and other systemic issues across MA's prisons and jails. You can view the full episode here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVoy...

PLS' Executive Director Dave Rini recently joined Matthew Tottenham on his podcast, The W-Number, to discuss the crisis of deaths in custody and other systemic issues across MA's prisons and jails. You can view the full episode here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVoy...

Hey, @afscme.bsky.social Local 419: why are you protecting these murderers? They are back at work *on the same unit* after brutally assaulting and killing a 32-year-old, mentally ill pretrial detainee who was held on $2500 bail last Sunday. Say his name. Shacoby Kenny. #bospoli #ShutDownSouthBay

Through interviews with 30 people supported by the Transformational Prison Project, researchers found that reentry isn't a discrete event. It's an ongoing, nonlinear process shaped by systemic barriers, deep personal transformation, and the search for belonging. inquest.org/reentry-neve...

If you have a loved one incarcerated at South Bay who has information about the death of Shacoby Kenny, Please encourage them to contact PLS at: 617-482-4124.

Starting in January 2020, DOC officials at the sanctioned a weeks-long campaign of brutality. Black and Latino people were targeted for particularly harsh treatment. In October, PLS finalized a $~7 million settlement on behalf of nearly 160 people. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/u...

Earlier this month, PLS hosted its annual event, Building Justice. Our keynote speaker was Jordan Gomes who is a formerly incarcerated person who worked in MCI-Shirley's medical unit, caring for the sickest people in the DOC's custody. youtu.be/5T9km_mQ0wE

Shacoby Kenny's death at the Suffolk County House of Correction is another tragic indicator of the urgent need for increased transparency and accountability of Massachusetts's prisons and jails. www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...

Roughly 1 in 3 people with active Hep C infections pass through prisons and jails each year, putting thousands at unnecessary risk. PLS filed Caron v. Coppinger in April because our clients with Hepatitis C at a local jail were repeatedly denied treatment: petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/10/06/w...

Massachusetts' last prison health care contract brought despair and congressional scrutiny. Investigative reporting indicates that the new vendor is off to a troubling start: binj.news/2025/07/10/h...

This post explores one of PLS' priority bills, which would establish universal access to programming, education, and vocational training opportunities, meaningful and productive out of cell time, and ensure that people’s human rights are protected. Learn more and get involved! Plsma.org/takeaction

ACTION ALERT: We are anticipating that the legislature may act soon on our policy platform. We are asking you to please contact your Representatives and ask them to urge the Public Safety Committee Chair, Rep. Daniel Cahill, to report the bills out favorably: secure.everyaction.com/LxVciEyRGUiG...

Anyone with information about this incident or the general culture of violence at South Bay can call @plsma.bsky.social: bsky.app/profile/plsm...

A detained man was killed by COs in Boston's South Bay jail (Suffolk HOC) last night. Other detainees who witnessed the incident on the unit saw them choke him and were not offered mental health support after. There must be an independent investigation. #bospoli www.boston25news.com/news/local/i...

For decades, Concord Prison Outreach has sponsored a vital project, supporting incarcerated individuals throughout MA by providing a holiday gift bag. Each donation provides a Holiday Gift Bag filled with essentials and a handwritten card for someone in prison: donorbox.org/hgb

Visitation for incarcerated people is crucial for ensuring successful reentry. A pending bill will protect access to visits, eliminate caps on the number of visitors, create child-friendly spaces, and reduce discrimination. Please take a moment to support this important bill: bit.ly/visitation25

The Sentencing Project released updated research this week showing that the number of incarcerated women in the U.S. has increased by more than 600% since 1980. At PLS, we see daily how the system fails women.Read the full fact sheet: www.sentencingproject.org/fact-sheet/i...

Tonight, PLS hosted our annual Building Justice fundraiser. A special thank you to our host, speakers, and all of the people in our community who make it possible to serve our clients everyday.

Despite falling incarceration rates, Massachusetts Sheriffs' budgets have continually risen. In the wake of a number of recent scandals involving sheriffs, their budgets have come under increasing scrutiny. www.masslive.com/westernmass/...

The Dept. of Correction's announcement of a new wellness hotline is a response to a crisis of deaths by suicide we should never have reached. Sadly, we worry it won't improve the situation. www.masslive.com/news/2025/11...

"Six apparent suicides in MA prisons this year, the most recent four in the space of little over 2 months, is more than just a statistic. It’s a wake-up call — that at a time when the prison population is relatively low, something is very wrong inside the walls." www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/23/o...

For decades, incarceration has devastated families and communities, yet women’s experiences have been largely erased from the conversation. This new report from the FreeHer Institute helps change that: www.nationalcouncil.us/work-to-be-d...

NEW: Victor Rosario spent 32 years behind bars for a crime he says he did not commit before a judge overturned his convictions. More than a decade after his release, he returned to MCI Norfolk as a free man. There, he shared a walk—and a message of hope—with his old friends. #Massachusetts

MA currently funnels hundreds of thousands of dollars per year into infrastructure that helps support ICE detention. At a recent hearing regarding responding to federal immigration enforcement , PLS Staff Attorney Leah Hastings urged the legislature to redirect funding. www.wwlp.com/news/state-p...

A federal judge recently approved a $6.75M settlement and major reforms to use-of-force practices after incarcerated people at Souza-Baranowski were subjected to weeks of racially-charged state-sanctioned violence in January 2020. www.axios.com/local/boston...

On 11/17, join The National Council & FJAH at their town hall to learn about their mission, values, history, and legislative priorities for 2025. This event will have a special focus on our Elder/Medical Parole Bill (H.2693/S.1722). We hope to see you there! secure.everyaction.com/s7U42uOSWEy1...

Visitation for incarcerated people is crucial for maintaining outside connection and ensuring successful reentry. Due to poor DOC policy, visit numbers have dramatically decreased in recent years but pending legislation can fix this. Learn more and take action: bit.ly/visitation25

The increase in deaths, and especially deaths by suicides, in MA prisons raise serious concerns. These tragedies are not isolated incidents; they reflect systemic failures in health care & the harmful impacts of restrictive housing. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/06/m...

There has been a rise in unexpected deaths in MA prisons, underscoring long-standing concerns about safe conditions, adequate healthcare, & mental health treatment. These deaths were preventable. We need accountability and immediate reform to protect lives. www.masslive.com/news/2025/11...

Last week, PLS finalized a $6.75 million settlement on behalf of nearly 160 people incarcerated at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center. In 2020, top-level officials at the MA DOC sanctioned a weeks-long campaign of brutality against incarcerated people: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/u...

Despite official claims, we still have a de facto solitary confinement system in Massachusetts. At Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, most incarcerated people are confined to their cells up to 20 hours per day. Pending legislation would change that. www.dotnews.com/2025/new-bil...

A group of about 150 current and former inmates at a Massachusetts prison who accused correction officers of brutal abuse will receive about $6 million in a settlement, according to details of the agreement released by plaintiffs’ lawyers.

Massachusetts sheriffs are receiving scrutiny for their ballooning budgets, highlighting how ridiculous their specious complaints about the cost of free phone calls for incarcerated people are. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/30/o...

MAJOR VICTORY: A judge approved our $6.75M settlement for 160 people at Souza-Baranowski who endured weeks of brutal, racially charged retaliation by corrections officers in 2020. The settlement includes landmark reforms and compensation to prevent future abuse. www.masslive.com/news/2025/10...

PLS is deeply concerned about recent deaths at multiple DOC facilities. We are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding these deaths and call on the Department of Correction to provide greater transparency. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/25/m...

H.4125 would bring real accountability to prison food services in MA by creating an independent Food Services Inspector to ensure incarcerated people receive nutritious, safe meals—and that food budgets are actually spent on food. Learn more in this brochure from an incarcerated artist!

Recent research from Prison Policy Initiative reveals the true scale of immigration detention is 45% larger than reported. The Trump administration helps enable and hide mass deportation by using local jails like Plymouth Co. Correctional Facility (PCCF) in MA: www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/jail...

A new collaboration between the World Peace Foundation at Tufts University and the Transformational Prison Project is challenging assumptions about what contributes to successful reentry. Learn more in this op-ed from leaders of both organizations: www.tuftsdaily.com/article/2025...

PLS filed Caron v. Coppinger because our clients with Hepatitis C at a local jail were repeatedly denied treatment. Unfortunately, our clients are far from alone in this regard. Learn more about Hepatitis C in carceral settings: petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/10/06/w...

NEW: After spending 28 years in prison for a murder he says he did not commit, Rickey “FuQuan” McGee stepped out of the John Adams Courthouse in #Boston surrounded by dozens of jubilant supporters on October 14. “I’m going to live incredibly,” McGee told the crowd as he held his fiancée and mother.

Yesterday, PLS staff testified alongside incarcerated people, legislators, & advocates in favor of the Dignity and Freedom Platform. To continue the momentum, we ask that you please use this action alert to easily ask your legislator to support the Platform: plsma.org/takeaction

PLS' final testifier at today's hearing was Maheeb Rabbani who spoke in support of An Act Relative to Human Rights and Improved Outcomes for Incarcerated People (S.1651/H.2608). Learn more about our work at: plsma.org/links

At today's Public Safety Hearing, PLS' Mac Hudson spoke alongside a panel of advocates about An Act Creating an independent correctional oversight office to facilitate the recommendations of the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism in Correctional Facilities of the Commonwealth.

PLS' Dr. Alice Bukhman testified today alongside a panel of medical providers in support of An Act Relative to Elder and Medical Parole, which will take a two pronged approach to addressing some of the most pressing issues we face in caring and advocating for a sick and aging prison population.

Happening Now: PLS' Nikki Louis testifies in support of An Act to build restorative family and community connection. Visitation is crucial for the well-being & successful reentry of incarcerated people yet visit numbers have dropped precipitously due to DOC policy. This bill would ensure access.

People incarcerated in MA spend up to 21 hours a day in their cells. Tomorrow, the legislature is holding a hearing on PLS' Dignity and Freedom Platform. S.1651/H.2608 would ensure out-of-cell time, health care access, and safe conditions. Learn more!