Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts
@plsma.bsky.social
Prisoners' Legal Services promotes the safe, humane and lawful treatment of Massachusetts prisoners through litigation, advocacy, and outreach.
Visitation is crucial for maintaining outside connection and ensuring successful reentry. At a recent hearing, Jeremiah shared how he has been impacted by poor visitation policies and practices. This is why it was identified as a priority issue for our Platform. Please act now: plsma.org/takeaction
February 4, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Visitation is crucial for maintaining outside connection and ensuring successful reentry. At a recent hearing, Jeremiah shared how he has been impacted by poor visitation policies and practices. This is why it was identified as a priority issue for our Platform. Please act now: plsma.org/takeaction
Small steps are being taken to curb ICE activity in MA, but there is more to be done. Right now, people are being funneled into a deportation machine where they do not receive due process and are subjected to horrid conditions that have been well-documented for years.
www.wgbh.org/news/politic...
www.wgbh.org/news/politic...
Lawyers suggest more ways Healey can limit ICE activity
The discussion comes as state lawmakers weigh a bill from Gov. Maura Healey to block immigration arrests in courthouses, schools and hospitals.
www.wgbh.org
February 4, 2026 at 12:33 AM
Small steps are being taken to curb ICE activity in MA, but there is more to be done. Right now, people are being funneled into a deportation machine where they do not receive due process and are subjected to horrid conditions that have been well-documented for years.
www.wgbh.org/news/politic...
www.wgbh.org/news/politic...
The Dignity and Freedom Platform, a set of urgent, common-sense carceral reforms endorsed by over 50 organizations, needs your support. Taking 30 seconds to act could make a real difference for 1000s of incarcerated people and their families, and benefit everyone in the state: plsma.org/takeaction
February 3, 2026 at 9:32 PM
The Dignity and Freedom Platform, a set of urgent, common-sense carceral reforms endorsed by over 50 organizations, needs your support. Taking 30 seconds to act could make a real difference for 1000s of incarcerated people and their families, and benefit everyone in the state: plsma.org/takeaction
We asked 160+ incarcerated people what reforms matter most. They told us: meaningful pathways to release, humane conditions, and stronger connections to family. We brought this platform to the State House, and now the bills are moving forward. Help keep the momentum going. plsma.org/takeaction
February 2, 2026 at 6:27 PM
We asked 160+ incarcerated people what reforms matter most. They told us: meaningful pathways to release, humane conditions, and stronger connections to family. We brought this platform to the State House, and now the bills are moving forward. Help keep the momentum going. plsma.org/takeaction
A new investigation from BINJ News explores how Massachusetts is failing people seeking parole due to public misunderstanding, sensationalist media coverage, and an overburdened Parole Board.
binj.news/2026/01/21/p...
binj.news/2026/01/21/p...
Parole In Massachusetts: Ignored, Misunderstood, And Misrepresented
How executive indifference, an overburdened board, and a sensationalist media are failing the promise of parole in the commonwealth
binj.news
January 29, 2026 at 11:49 PM
A new investigation from BINJ News explores how Massachusetts is failing people seeking parole due to public misunderstanding, sensationalist media coverage, and an overburdened Parole Board.
binj.news/2026/01/21/p...
binj.news/2026/01/21/p...
PLS has been awarded @candiddotorg.bsky.social's Platinum Seal for our exceptional transparency and accountability regarding our mission, strategies, goals, impact, finances, and leadership. Check out our website to learn more about what your donations help us accomplish.
plsma.org
plsma.org
January 28, 2026 at 7:51 PM
PLS has been awarded @candiddotorg.bsky.social's Platinum Seal for our exceptional transparency and accountability regarding our mission, strategies, goals, impact, finances, and leadership. Check out our website to learn more about what your donations help us accomplish.
plsma.org
plsma.org
On 1/28, the Equal Justice Coalition is hosting its annual Walk to the Hill to urge legislators to support funding for civil legal aid. We hope you can join us! equaljusticecoalition.org/walk/?fbclid...
January 27, 2026 at 10:31 PM
On 1/28, the Equal Justice Coalition is hosting its annual Walk to the Hill to urge legislators to support funding for civil legal aid. We hope you can join us! equaljusticecoalition.org/walk/?fbclid...
Incarcerated people, particularly women, are more likely to have experienced violence or abuse. The Survivors Act emulates recent resentencing reforms across the country that allow for reduced sentences for people with convictions related to their abuse. boltsmag.org/massachusett...
Massachusetts Could Be the Next State to Give Abuse Survivors a Pathway Out of Prison
The Massachusetts Survivors Act emulates recent resentencing reforms across the country that allow for reduced sentences for people with convictions related to their abuse.
boltsmag.org
January 22, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Incarcerated people, particularly women, are more likely to have experienced violence or abuse. The Survivors Act emulates recent resentencing reforms across the country that allow for reduced sentences for people with convictions related to their abuse. boltsmag.org/massachusett...
A report by PLS' Immigrant Detention Condition Project and BU Law's Immigrants’ Rights and Human Trafficking Program exposes a pattern of systemic abuse and mistreatment of immigrant detainees at Plymouth County Correctional Facility over the past 25 years. Learn more at: plsma.org/info
January 21, 2026 at 9:23 PM
A report by PLS' Immigrant Detention Condition Project and BU Law's Immigrants’ Rights and Human Trafficking Program exposes a pattern of systemic abuse and mistreatment of immigrant detainees at Plymouth County Correctional Facility over the past 25 years. Learn more at: plsma.org/info
Dirceu Semedo went to prison at 18. Over 30 years, he completed 70+ programs and talked to teens about avoiding his path. MA's Mattis decision gave him a chance at parole because no one should be defined forever by their worst day as a teenager.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/06/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/06/m...
Former Mass. prisoners reflect on freedom after decades behind bars - The Boston Globe
Massachusetts became the first state to ban life without parole for offenders convicted of crimes they committed when they were between ages 18 and 20.
www.bostonglobe.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Dirceu Semedo went to prison at 18. Over 30 years, he completed 70+ programs and talked to teens about avoiding his path. MA's Mattis decision gave him a chance at parole because no one should be defined forever by their worst day as a teenager.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/06/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/06/m...
63 years ago, Dr. King sat in a narrow jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama and wrote one of the most important documents of the Civil Rights Movement. His Letter from Birmingham Jail reminds us that "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." www.jackmillercenter.org/our-work/res...
Martin Luther King's "Letter From Birmingham Jail" - Jack Miller Center
Martin Luther King’s 1963 “Letter from Birmingham Jail” remains a classic document of the Civil Rights movement
www.jackmillercenter.org
January 19, 2026 at 6:02 PM
63 years ago, Dr. King sat in a narrow jail cell in Birmingham, Alabama and wrote one of the most important documents of the Civil Rights Movement. His Letter from Birmingham Jail reminds us that "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." www.jackmillercenter.org/our-work/res...
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 County Correctional Facility in MA. www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/jail...
Hiding in Plain Sight: How local jails obscure and facilitate mass deportation under Trump
www.prisonpolicy.org
January 16, 2026 at 7:38 PM
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 County Correctional Facility in MA. www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/jail...
The last few months have been particularly deadly for incarcerated people in MA. In many instances, we still don't have basic answers about what happened. A new analysis from the Marshall Project shows this isn't unique to our state.
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/23/d...
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/23/d...
This is How People Are Dying in America’s Prisons and Jails
An analysis by The Marshall Project provides a window into what causes thousands of people to die in prisons and jails every year.
www.themarshallproject.org
January 13, 2026 at 11:05 PM
The last few months have been particularly deadly for incarcerated people in MA. In many instances, we still don't have basic answers about what happened. A new analysis from the Marshall Project shows this isn't unique to our state.
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/23/d...
www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/23/d...
In 2024, MA's SJC ruled that people who committed crimes between ages 18 and 20 cannot be sentenced to life without parole. The decision recognized what science has long told us: young adults are still developing, and they deserve a chance to demonstrate change.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/06/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/06/m...
Former Mass. prisoners reflect on freedom after decades behind bars - The Boston Globe
Massachusetts became the first state to ban life without parole for offenders convicted of crimes they committed when they were between ages 18 and 20.
www.bostonglobe.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:36 PM
In 2024, MA's SJC ruled that people who committed crimes between ages 18 and 20 cannot be sentenced to life without parole. The decision recognized what science has long told us: young adults are still developing, and they deserve a chance to demonstrate change.
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/06/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/06/m...
Shacoby Kenny's death at the Suffolk County House of Correction wasn't due to a few "bad apples." Our carceral system's focus is punishment, not rehabilitation, and it actively harms people physically and psychologically every single day.
www.masslive.com/boston/2026/...
www.masslive.com/boston/2026/...
Senator sounds alarm on Shacoby Kenny death, other fatalities in Mass. jails and prisons
A man with mental health issues died after officers restrained him inside a Boston jail. A state senator wants answers about his death and others — as well as independent oversight of jails and…
www.masslive.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:19 PM
Shacoby Kenny's death at the Suffolk County House of Correction wasn't due to a few "bad apples." Our carceral system's focus is punishment, not rehabilitation, and it actively harms people physically and psychologically every single day.
www.masslive.com/boston/2026/...
www.masslive.com/boston/2026/...
Two corrections officers are facing multiple felony charges for allegedly beating a restrained incarcerated person at SBCC in May 2023. This incident is part of a systemic pattern of unlawful use of force by officers at the facility.
www.wcvb.com/article/two-...
www.wcvb.com/article/two-...
Two Mass. corrections officers accused of beating restrained inmate
The restrained inmate was only identified as "E.M." in court records.
www.wcvb.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Two corrections officers are facing multiple felony charges for allegedly beating a restrained incarcerated person at SBCC in May 2023. This incident is part of a systemic pattern of unlawful use of force by officers at the facility.
www.wcvb.com/article/two-...
www.wcvb.com/article/two-...
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...
January 6, 2026 at 6:47 PM
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
December 30, 2025 at 8:24 PM
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
December 24, 2025 at 5:48 PM
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...
www.wgbh.org/news/local/2...
Protesters call for transparency following in-custody death of Shacoby Kenny
Protesters call for transparency following in-custody death of Shacoby Kenny at South Bay jail
www.wgbh.org
December 23, 2025 at 11:57 PM
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...
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...
December 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
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...
December 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
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...
Reposted by Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts
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
Say his name. Shacoby Kenny. #bospoli #ShutDownSouthBay
December 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
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
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...
Reentry Never Ends - B. Arneson & Bridget Conley - Inquest
When reincarceration rates are treated as the sole measure of success, we undervalue the work formerly incarcerated people do to heal and confront their traumas.
inquest.org
December 19, 2025 at 8:14 PM
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...