“The remedy is not working. Jail populations are actually higher now than the second week of April."
COVID SURGES IN MASS PRISONS, STILL NO PLAN TO DECARCERATE
KOONCE MAKES “COMPELLING” CASE IN 5-PLUS HOUR COMMUTATION HEARING
No one serving a life without parole sentence has been granted a commutation since 1997
MASS TO HOLD FIRST COMMUTATION HEARING IN 10 YEARS, BUT PRESS AND PUBLIC CAN’T WATCH
While members of the public can listen in on this hearing for Thomas Koonce without seeing it, they are unable to record the hearing
SPECIAL FEATURE: REVOCATION NATION
The epidemic of reincarceration for technical parole violations in the age of COVID
THE COST OF PRISON VIDEO VISITATION: ANOTHER HARDSHIP FOR FAMILIES
As lawmakers consider free phone calls, expensive video calls come to Mass prisons
BOOK REVIEW: PRISON BY ANY OTHER NAME
New book reveals potential pitfalls for those seeking justice reforms.
WILL MASS PASS LEGISLATION TO AID PRISONERS AND ENCOURAGE FAMILY CONTACT?
“When COVID first started, I didn’t hear from him. You don’t know what it feels like to not know if your loved one is alive or dead.”
REMOTE JUSTICE: ON TRIAL IN ZOOM COURT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
“It’s impossible to advocate for someone [in court] over the telephone. … Anything you say or your client says is heard by everyone.”
THE DYSFUNCTIONAL MASS PAROLE BOARD’S INEVITABLE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
“Most prisons and many jails have done very little to reduce the population density that puts both incarcerated people and staff at grave risk.”
ADVOCATES SUE, ARGUE IMMEDIATE DECARCERATION NEEDED TO SAVE LIVES
To keep people locked up despite the looming threat of coronavirus, officials are claiming prisoners lack community ties. Advocates and family members say that’s not the case.
