Abolitionist Mail Project
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massamp1312.bsky.social
Abolitionist Mail Project
@massamp1312.bsky.social
330 followers 170 following 120 posts
We create penpal friendships across prison walls in Massachusetts because we need one another for a free and just world.
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massamp1312.bsky.social
We're having a great time at @boston-a-bookfair.bsky.social
12-6 Saturday 12-5 Sunday
-Learn about being a pen-pal
-Write a note to an incarcerated person
-Browse member profiles
-Buy a (vegan) treat
-Attend our 3-4pm workshop on being a pen-pal and hear from Lady C, calling in from a MA prison
Our table at BABF. The table is set up in a gym. It has a bright tablecloth with food patterns and a large flag with the Abolitionist Mail Project logo, which resembles a postage cancellation stamp. A white trifold board lists our name, email, and URL. Things we do: Pen-pals, card parties, book club. Things we need: pen-pals, stamps. A black trifold board on the other side of the table has photos of members with their names. On the table are piles of packaged baked goods, papers, and stickers. A binder contains member bios, and there are chairs set up nearby to take time to write a note.
November 1, 2025 at 4:55 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
We had a great time at @brooklinebooksmith.bsky.social and sent more than 140 cards to incarcerated birthday people with your help.

We're so thankful to BB for a generous card and stamp donation that allowed us to reach so many people. A member told us it was his best birthday in 50 years 😭
A photo of a crowded event in a bookstore. Three long folding tables are set up among the stacks. There are people filling all the folding chairs around the tables, working hard writing cards. In the foreground, a person with long hair smiles and waves at the camera. Text: Birthday cards at Brookline Booksmith You helped send 140 cards to incarcerated people with birthdays A photo of another table at the event. six people gather at a table with a couple empty seats. Two of them wear masks and all are looking at papers on the table or writing cards. In the foreground are small piles of cards, writing impliments, and stamps. Text: Pull up a chair. Read a bio. Write a card. In a photo of the events, tables are set up in a bookstore. Seven people sit at the table in the foreground, several of them looking at the same bio on the table. An overlaid screenshot of an email reads "On birthdays, life is really hard for me. But, thanks for AMP, this will be a much less painful day." -- email from a member Text in a different font days "your message makes a difference"
October 28, 2025 at 11:20 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
In our Sat 3-4pm workshop, we'll discuss the long history of anarchist solidarity across walls, hear directly from an incarcerated person about being a pen-pal, and give tips for getting started. After, we'll match you to one of our 180 members!

Can't wait? Go to AbolitionistMailProject.com now
A graphic with spiderwebs in the background. A graphic of someone wearing a mask that says Masks Required in the bottom right corner. Big text: Abolition Write Now: Human Connection, Pen-pals, and Liberation Body text: This workshop will offer an opportunity to hear from and make friends with incarcerated people in MA. Drawing on centuries of anarchist solidarity with incarcerated people, we will discuss the importance of direct connection to bringing about a world free from prisons and police. Incarcerated speakers will lead conversations on a topic of their choice. ABOUT US. Abolitionist Mail Project fosters meaningful, life-affirming connections between people behind and beyond prison walls by creating penpal friendships between incarcerated people in Massachusetts and non-incarcerated people
October 28, 2025 at 11:08 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
See you this weekend at Boston Anarchist Book Fair! We're tabling both days and holding a workshop Saturday.

Stop by our booth to send notes inside to show incarcerated people in Mass that they are remembered, buy some baked goods so we can buy stamps, read member profiles, and become a pen-pal
A busy graphic with Halloween themes: orange spiderwebs, jack o lanterns, candy, skulls, and more. Text: AMP will be tabling at [big text] Boston Anarchist Book Fair Sat Nov 1 noon-6, Sun Nov 2 noon-5 Write cards to incarcerated people, buy baked goods, get a pen-pal Cambridge Community Center 5 Callendar St Cambridge
October 28, 2025 at 11:08 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
Drop in to meet us Friday 10/10 between 6-8pm at @brooklinebooksmith.bsky.social

You'll learn why pen-pals are important, get some tips, and then write birthday cards to incarcerated people.

Birthdays are often complicated. Help someone know they are remembered.

tinyurl.com/AMP-BB1010
A computer graphic with a red doodled cake in the middle of the page. Red star-shaped and regular balloons flank it. Text: Write birthday cards to incarcerated people with AMP and Brookline Booksmith. October 10 6-8p Stop in or stay. Brookline Booksmith. Break the isolation this birthday. RSVP: tinyurl.com/AMP-BB1010 AMP logo in bottom right corner Image 1: a dark grey background with lines drawings of envelopes. A red box with white text is framed by quotation marks. Top text: Why be penpals with someone incarcerated in Mass? Main text. A white block that looks like a Corrlinks email. I really want to thank people for sending me birthday cards sense my family haven't. I believe that [highlighted] small gestures like this can make a difference in people [end highlight] specially if there going through a rough time like I am right now. Bottom text: Visit AbolitionistMailProject.com A computer graphic of a dark grey background with lines drawings of envelopes. A red box with white text is framed by quotation marks. Top text: Why be penpals with someone incarcerated in Mass?In the middle is a scan of a handwritten letter. It is on white paper with blue lines. Dear AMP (DYKE MARCH) Re: pride month June 18thThank you for being a Beason of light- a voice for some who are not heard - a voice for have been turned off by many and a reassurance that it is OK to be who I amPeople who have hollared at us at different rallies, marches, events. I was blessed to get a shout out from [name scribbled out]. Well if anyone ever hears or sees [name scribbled out]-- Tell her I said she is a BADASS. Again-- Thank you 4 all that you doHis signature is the name Michael in a circleBottom text: Visit AbolitionistMailProject.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:33 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
Joe is a hard-working musician in 2 out of 3 bands in his prison. He loves psychology and hearing new things. He'd like a friendship where he can share and hear stories about life.

Meet Joe at tinyurl.com/AMP-signup
Computer graphics with the same layout. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for Joe he/him #241091" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Main text: Content note: sexual violence. Currently civilly committed serving a day to life as a sexually dangerous person. Prior convictions for aggravated rape, kidnapping, and indecent assault and battery. Hoping to be released, and not die here in this horrible prison. Some good things about me, I work hard, owned my own company on the streets. I enjoy motorcycle riding, sailing, boating. Grew up on Cape Cod. I play guitar and a currently in 2 of the 3 bands here at the prison. I'm a cook in the staff grill here. I make breakfast and lunch for staff 2 days a week. I'd like to have some friends to write to email and possibly call or have them come up and visit. Same layout as previous. I enjoying hearing new things and love psychology. I am 100% interested in furthering my education and I love talking to people Looking for in a pen-pal Maybe I could share some stories about my life? Possibly get to know one another. I enjoy music, we could share a passion for writing and playing music. Maybe whomever could help me find housing? For my eventual release? Being incarcerated I have no internet access so maybe someone could help look up things for me that might aid in my eventual release? I actually could use some friends.
September 25, 2025 at 8:53 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
Connection across walls makes a huge difference while people do their bid. Many of our inside members do not have regular contact with anyone on this side of the wall. And most out here don't reach in. Are you ready to change that?

Learn more and get started tinyurl.com/AMP-learn
Image 1: a dark grey background with lines drawings of envelopes. A red box with white text is framed by quotation marks. Top text: Why be penpals with someone incarcerated in Mass? Main text: Because I’ve been incarcerated and enjoyed people writing to me. A sense of community outside of the walls can be life changing and I like to have a positive impact in community. Bottom text: Visit AbolitionistMailProject.com
September 21, 2025 at 3:37 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
Sean is a hardworking and polite bisexual man who enjoys dogs, shopping, and working out. He loves being a sounding board for others and looks forward to volunteering to give back once he's released. His pen-pal should be open and honest.

Visit tinyurl.com/AMP-signup to meet Sean!
Computer graphics with the same layout. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for Sean he/him #241084" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Main text: Greetings, I want to thank whoever is taking their time to read my bio and putting aside your busy schedule for me. I am very hard working, polite, funny, energetic Bi-Sexual man who loves cooking, playing Basketball, working out, Photography, modeling, conversing on daily life issues. I love dogs, Traveling, camping anything physical I love and enjoy. I love to shop clothes and Food. I continue to work on myself and any issue that I have. I love to help others even if it’s just listening and being that Sound board for them. My goals are to volunteer at shelters, to plant Gardens and Trees for our world. To help my Daughter and Grank Kids to become Successful as possible. To give back to my community any way I can. photo: an over exposed picture of Sean. Sean is a light-skinned Black man wearing a backward and sideways hat and plaid shirt. He has a goatee and smiles at the camera
September 21, 2025 at 2:05 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
This moment of heightened fascism and criminalization is a great time to enter into genuine community with someone living under extreme repression. As more people's identities become illegal, we have a lot to learn from people already surviving incarceration.

Tinyurl.com/AMP-learn
A computer graphic. A dark grey background with the title why be penpals with someone incarcerated in Massachusetts? A red square framed with quotation marks:I'm an abolitionist criminal defense attorney, and my relationships with incarcerated people flow from that power imbalance. I'd like to support people on the inside simply as a comrade rather than as someone responsible for their liberty and life. Bottom banner: visit AbolitionistMailProject.com
September 20, 2025 at 4:51 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
Joe is a hard-working musician in 2 out of 3 bands in his prison. He loves psychology and hearing new things. He'd like a friendship where he can share and hear stories about life.

Meet Joe at tinyurl.com/AMP-signup
Computer graphics with the same layout. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for Joe he/him #241091" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Main text: Content note: sexual violence. Currently civilly committed serving a day to life as a sexually dangerous person. Prior convictions for aggravated rape, kidnapping, and indecent assault and battery. Hoping to be released, and not die here in this horrible prison. Some good things about me, I work hard, owned my own company on the streets. I enjoy motorcycle riding, sailing, boating. Grew up on Cape Cod. I play guitar and a currently in 2 of the 3 bands here at the prison. I'm a cook in the staff grill here. I make breakfast and lunch for staff 2 days a week. I'd like to have some friends to write to email and possibly call or have them come up and visit. Same layout. Main text: I enjoying hearing new things and love psychology. I am 100% interested in furthering my education and I love talking to people Looking for in a pen-pal Maybe I could share some stories about my life? Possibly get to know one another. I enjoy music, we could share a passion for writing and playing music. Maybe whomever could help me find housing? For my eventual release? Being incarcerated I have no internet access so maybe someone could help look up things for me that might aid in my eventual release? I actually could use some friends.
September 20, 2025 at 1:10 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
Cai is a subversive Queer Anarchist who is also a card-carrying member of the Save the Manatees Club. He enjoys playing bass, writing haiku, and expanding his mind. He is hopeful about overturning his sentence.
Computer graphics with the same layout. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for Caius he/him #241105" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Main text: Openly Queer/Tancentric, Devil worshiping Black Metal Scum Punk - into Anarchy, horror, the exploration ov consciousness, body modification and all manner ov unsavory and subversive shit! including but not limited to, being a dietary Vegan and a card carrying member of the Save The Manatees Club. Eye am currently serving multiple life sentences for crimes eye did not commit and am represented by both the CPCS and Boston College Innocence Program who are working with me to overturn my convictions and expose the prejudice and corruption which led to my arrest and imprisonment. We are VERY optimistic about the outcome, and we are NOW back in court! GOOGLE ME!!! Eye spend my time ripping Bestial Necrosum Hell on my bass guitar, screaming primitive homages to The Horned One, practicing Zen, writing haiku, reading, rebelling, exercising, taking long walks in circles and otherwise seeking to expand my mind and find expression ov my true inner self... Looking also for others who may desire to share and experience thee uncommon. Looking for in a pen-pal Sincerity ov character, subversity, and sincere subversity ov character. - Eye'm all abou the out ov bounds! - Musick, anarchy, Zen, body modification, chaos as spiritual path... A photograph of Caius, a white man with facial tattoos and subdermal implants resembling horns. He has a partially shaved head and a few long blonde dreadlocks. He stares into the camera with an intense look.
September 15, 2025 at 9:01 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
Nelly loves the sports and the beach. She's part of the #FreeHer movement and a current college student. She believes life is what you make of it. She wants to know where your journey is taking you.

Sign up to write Nelly at tinyurl.com/AMP-signup
Two computer graphics of white text on black. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for XX he/him #2410XX" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Text: She loves to go to the beach and chill, swim, and kick back. She is a very hard worker, and is a part of the free her movement [unclear word]. She is all about sports, any kind of music. Her family means everything to her. She is currently enrolled in Fram. State University. Life is what you make it no matter how many times you fall, you get right back up --Nelly Wants to talk about work, hobbies, likes, dislikes, where is your journey leading you in life? The same layout. a photo of Nelly standing outside in front of a tree. Nelly is a white woman with silver hair. She stands in 3/4 profile and smiles at the camera with her hands clasped in front of her. She is wearing a necklace and watch and has a small tattoo on her forearm
August 20, 2025 at 7:03 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
Ed is an open and honest person who enjoys RPGs and music. He is working on recovery and is highly motivated. He wants to meet someone else interested in self-improvement. Though he is serious, he hopes to laugh with you.

Sign up to write Ed at tinyurl.com/AMP-signup #PenPals
IMAGE DESCRIPTIONS Two computer graphics with the same layout. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for Ed he/him #241016" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Text: Very open understanding, love to talk and share what life has to offer. Would love to have someone to write to, I have been incarcerated a really long time. Will answer all questions, I'm very honest. I am highly motivated to become a better and greater human being. My recovery comes first along with my higher power. My hobbies are music, role playing games (RPG), and sports. I am a very social person and easy to talk with. Although I am a serious man, I am known for my humor. My interests are meeting real people that aren't ashamed what people say about them. I'm looking for a pen pal that is comfortable in their own skin and have a good heart. Someone who loves to laugh and can hold a intellectual serious conversation. As well as someone who has a purpose and sense of direction. I am looking for a person who is looking to always better themselves.
August 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
Frank is a Two-Spirit person seeking true and lasting friendship. Frank is both very alone and very lonely. He enjoys anything outdoors, is a compassionate, responsible, and caring person interested in meeting a friend who will be non-judgmental.

Sign up to write Frank at tinyurl.com/AMP-signup
IMAGE DESCRIPTIONS Two computer graphics with random circles in red and grey. On every page, a bar at the top reads "seeking a penpal for Frank he/him #241029" A banner at the bottom says "more profiles at tinyurl.com/amp-list" The Abolitionist Mail Project logo is in the top right corner. Text: Looking to meet new and exciting people for friendship! To be completely honest, I enjoyed making this profile out, to look within and speak from the qualities I have that may appeal to those like-minded people who may be interested in a friendship to be born. I am so very pleased to meet all of you! I am a ruggedly handsome fifty-six year old man from Central Massachusetts who is extremely compassionate, open-minded, caring, and responsible. I am NOT the type of man that is "all into myself". I am mindful of others and those I care about. I am the quiet type, a kindhearted gentleman. I always put others before myself. I’m passionate a great listener, attentive, confident with so many more qualities to describe me but let's save that for our letters and e-mails. What I seek is a true and lasting friendship. I've made plenty of mistakes in my lifetime, they have all molded me into being my strengths today with a common goal of growth and healing. Some of my favorite activities involve making cards from nature for those I feel would be uplifted by this gesture, working out, eating healthy, country music, anything involving the outdoors such as working on farms, camping, and gardening. Open-minded, no[t] judgemental, nothing is out of bounds They say being lonely and alone have two different definitions. Well I'm lonely and alone, so I fit both descriptions. I felt compelled to write this letter in hopes of meeting ,' someone who is willing to get to know the person that I am'. Someone who has the capacity to look beyond the surface of mistakes and interact with me based on the nature of human kindness. I am virtually receptive to all nonjudgmental people. Therefore, your age, race, weight, and looks are unimportant. Even if you were a little green creature from another planet , we still could be friends (smile) I like to explore the different qualities in people and determine what makes us individually unique. I believe that friendship, communication, trust and honesty are the foundation to any meaningful relationship. In terms of myself , I am compassionate, open-minded, and intelligent. I am currently incarcerated for a violent crime and I guess the plan was for me to experience the worst condition of loneliness I never knew existed. So if you are reading this, then please consider the fact that your presence in my life is deeply needed and would be appreciated. I am only following my heart by reaching out to you because when it is all said and done. ' I AM NOBODY WITHOUT SOMEBODY!'
August 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
David in CT weighs in about temps above 100° during New England summers. In MA, cell temps have measured 115°+

Fans are $30 (1-2 months' wages) in MA prisons. The industrial fans in some common areas circulate hot air, but don't touch humidity. Very few areas available to incarcerated ppl have AC.
The prison staff here lets the older and sick people suffer the same as us through the heat. Last year, I saw a man who was older than 50 faint and fall flat on his face. The staff just asked him if he was on drugs and did nothing else. Starting this year, the prison is allowing us to buy small fans for $33. Otherwise they don’t give us much to beat the heat. The hottest temperature I’ve seen recorded at my facility was 101 degrees, in 2022. I remember it because I’m from Puerto Rico, where I was used to the heat. But the temperatures that summer particularly got on my nerves.
July 23, 2025 at 10:10 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
The USPS is a lifeline for millions of incarcerated people, but a letter can cost more than a dollar— a day and a half's work— once you buy paper, an envelope, and pen. Mail keeps people part off the world and keeps them safer.

Write an incarcerated person today: tinyurl.com/AMP-learn
A computer graphic with a dark grey background and an image of two envelopes with stamps and the Abolitionist Mail Project logo Become penpals with someone incarcerated in Massachusetts. Find a friend - fight prisons AbolitionistMailProject.com
July 20, 2025 at 2:25 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
You can write cards to incarcerated people in Mass, wherever you are!

Sign up for a virtual card party: an intro to why cards are important, tips on what to write, and time to write together.

Monday, July 21 5-6pm (EST)

tinyurl.com/AMP-virtualparty
A computer graphic that resembles a computer window on a Mac. It is shades of pink and purple. Virtual birthday card writing party Write birthday cards to incarcerated AMP members from home! Monday, July 21 5-6pm EST Register here: Tinyurl.com/AMP-virtualparty The AMP logo is in the corner. The logo is a fist on a red envelope surrounded by a circle so it looks like a postage cancellation
July 18, 2025 at 4:09 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
We're excited to announce an inside/outside reading group. Small groups will read 3 pieces on Abolition, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, or Self-help. Readings are under 10 pages and some have audio options.

This is a low-commitment way to meet an incarcerated friend!

Sign up: tinyurl.com/AMP-reading #booksky
A computer graphic. The background looks like white paper with blue lines. The AMP logo is in the top left and a heading reads "reading and listening group" On a yellow sticky note: Match with an incarcerated person to read and discuss short works in 1 of 3 genres When: Aug -Oct 2025 How: Letter, email, or phone Who: you and AMP inside members Sign up: tinyurl.com/AMP-reading A graphic with the same design. On a yellow sticky note: Read/listen to 3 short pieces on either Aboliton, sci-fi/fantasy, or self-help Sign up: tinyurl.com/AMP-reading
July 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
We are hosting a Western Mass info session. Then, get matched with a penpal or write a card to an incarcerated person!

Sun, 7/20, 2-4pm
UU Society of #NoHo - 220 Main St
RSVP: tinyurl.com/AMP-WMass
♿ elevator access
😷 masks required
🚗 metered parking
🚌 31, B43, B48, GZ3E, NE, R41, R42 #mapoli
A computer flyer. Cute cat cartoon cats are in the corner, one has their hand up in the air asking a question. The other rights on a heart. Another looks an envelope. The fourth puts an envelope into a mailbox. Large text:ABOLITIONIST MAIL PROJECT INFO SESSION. AMP builds pen-pal friendships between incarcerated and non-incarcerated people in MA LEARN AMP then MATCH WITH AN INCARCERATED PEN-PAL or SEND A CARD INSIDE SUNDAY 07/20 2-4PM @ UU CHURCH 220 MAN ST, NORTHAMPTON REGISTER AT TINYURL.COM/AMP-WMASS WMASS AbolitionistMailProject.com
July 10, 2025 at 9:52 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
Here's a stunning stat from Families for Justice As Healing, the state leaders in the incarceration of women.

We can prevent transgressions leading to incarceration by investing in communities. But that's not the future MA is willing to invest in. Shame on MA.

#mapoli
A screencap of an Instagram post from Justice as human text on a purple background: how much is $360 million exactly? Enough to give every woman inside MCI Framingham I guarantee $50,000 a year for the next 30 years. Invest in women, not prisons
July 2, 2025 at 10:52 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
Families for Justice as Healing and @thecouncilus.bsky.social's statement continued
tinyurl.com/no360million...

#NoNewWomensPrison
Residents and our faith leaders are clear that prison construction will not make our communities safer. Constituents across the Commonwealth broadly support a Prison Moratorium to pause construction planning and pursue further reducing our incarcerated population, implementing alternatives, and investing in the resources that will actually address the root causes of incarceration and recidivism. Branding prison construction as “re-imagining” anything is a failed public safety policy that will condemn current and future generations of Massachusetts women and girls to further harm, trauma, and family separation. This project is a misuse of public funds. Families for Justice as Healing and The National Council have been organizing to reimagine our communities, not prisons, for years. Directly impacted women are leading work to bring women home from incarceration and keep them home. We are implementing real models that reflect what women need to heal and advance our lives - like a guaranteed basic income program, rental assistance, healing programming, economic development opportunities like a paid commercial driver’s license course, and a community pantry. MCI-Framingham is indeed the oldest operating women’s prison in the United States. Our organizations and the many constituents who support our work are outraged that 150 years after the construction of Framingham, this Governor’s brightest idea is to rebuild the same prison campus. What is possible for women has evolved significantly over the past century and a half, and our public safety policy should reflect that rather than changing the color of the walls. This Governor must recognize the urgent need, as a matter of public safety policy, to release more women—starting with elders in their sixties and seventies, women who are suffering with debilitating illnesses, and survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Governor Healey should truly invest in building up people, not prisons, and improve safety and well-being for all of us. “The Governor’s plan to build a $360 million women’s prison is intentionally disrupting the work formerly incarcerated women are doing to create a better community,” said Families for Justice as Healing Co-Director Sashi James. “Build for our community what you’d envision for your children.”
July 1, 2025 at 7:29 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
Shame on @massgovernor.bsky.social! A $360M prison complex is a stain on MA. It is fiscally irresponsible, unnecessary, and cruel. It marks a dogged refusal to work with incarcerated women on what they actually need.

FJAH's response:
tinyurl.com/no360million...
#NoNewWomensPrison #mapoli
Statement by Families for Justice as Healing and The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls in response to Governor Healey’s $360 million plan for a new women’s prison On Monday evening, the Healey administration announced its plans to build a $360 mil women’s prison complex - a cost 7 times higher than the $51 mil previously budgeted in Healey’s former capital investment plan and held out by the Commonwealth as the anticipated price tag for nearly six years. Families for Justice as Healing and The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls have opposed the Commonwealth’s plan to build a new women’s prison since 2019 when the state originally solicited for the study and design contract, and had to reissue the request for proposals twice due to violations of bid laws. We staunchly oppose this new, more expensive prison construction plan that will cause irreparable harm and trauma to current and future generations of Massachusetts women and families. We condemn this project as a misuse of taxpayer dollars, especially while our communities need significant capital investment and the state faces budget shortfalls in vital safety net programs. Incarcerated women have testified to the legislature in 2 consecutive sessions that they oppose massive prison construction and support a five year moratorium on jail and prison construction, including most recently in a hearing before the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee on May 13th, 2025. “If it were not for untreated mental illness and drug and alcohol abuse, Framingham would be nearly empty. Most of the women here were victims of violence and abuse, long before committing any crime,” testified Kirsten Smith virtually from MCI-Framingham. “Many, like myself, asked for help, and received none. Society has failed to protect many of the women here since childhood and continues to fail them now. It’s not the prison itself that ne… Incarcerated women also sent Governor Healey a letter with a list of concerns about MCI-Framingham that was neither acknowledged nor addressed by the administration. The letter expressed opposition to new prison construction. Forty community organizations signed on to a follow-up letter to amplify the voices of incarcerated women and the call to maximize and expand pathways to release prior to any construction planning. Formerly incarcerated women, including those who have spent decades inside MCI-Framingham, have been unequivocal: there is no such thing as a trauma-informed prison. Academics and public health experts agree that incarceration only causes further harm, particularly to survivors of violence and trauma themselves. It is abundantly clear that the Department of Correction cannot create or sustain a culture of rehabilitation given the dehumanization and violence incarcerated people regularly experience in Massachusetts prisons. Women at MCI-Framingham report experiencing and witnessing sexual misconduct and harassment. Last year, an officer was indicted for raping a woman in Framingham. Other women have recently brought civil suits about experiencing sexual abuse while incarcerated there. Women continually raise the total lack of healing programming, job training, computer access, and self-led groups that could be provided in the existing space. Just last month, it was announced that $6.75 million taxpayer dollars will be spent to settle a class action lawsuit brought by 150 currently and formerly incarcerated men after enduring rampant brutality and racially targeted retaliatory force waged by DOC correctional officers at Souza Baronowski Correctional Center - the most recently built prison in Massachusetts. Even the first Trump administration’s Department of Justice cited the Massachusetts Department of Correction for eighth amendment violations and those fundamental problems have not been remedied. With a long and documented pattern of abuses, the taxpaying public believes it is impossible to entrust the DOC with creating “a national model of rehabilitation and correctional innovation” as the Governor’s announcement claims. Taxpayers cannot trust the architecture firm, HDR Inc, to act in the best interest of our communities or steward our precious capital dollars. This multi-billion dollar firm has designed 275 jails and prisons in the United States. In addition to designing a $360 million women’s prison in Massachusetts, they have or have sought contracts recently in states criminalizing reproductive and gender affirming care, including Florida and Texas. HDR has refused to meet with formerly incarcerated women and ignored protests by taxpayers outside their offices, yet it spies on residents who have grave concerns about the impact of prison construction on our communities. Governor Healey touts spending $360 million on a women’s prison project as “an investment in people, a commitment to second chances, and a responsibility to build a safer future for communities statewide.” An investment in people looks like state and capital budgets that expand access to truly affordable housing, healing, healthcare, recovery, education, and financial opportunity so families can provide for their children. To fulfill a commitment to second chances, this Governor must make good on her own clemency guidelines and ensure women are released from prison through all available avenues: commutation, parole, medical parole, moving women classed as minimum security to community placements, and passing elder parole.
July 1, 2025 at 7:29 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
Join the #NoNewWomensPrison movement. Guided by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, Families for Justice as Healing have stopped a $50M prison for 6 years. Now the state has announced a compound at 7x the cost.

Crush this government investment in torturing women!

Bit.ly/FreeHerMA #mapoli
A purple and black computer image. Governor Healey wants to build a [$360 written over the number $50] million dollar prison for women. We say no. Call and email her now. Bit.ly/FreeHerMA Image with text. $360 million for housing, healthcare, healing, treatment, community centers, education, daycare, food assistance NOT a new women's prison Purple background image with text. Governor Healey: Don't be on the wrong side of 150 years of history. We can build a future without prison cells for our daughters
July 1, 2025 at 3:48 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
160 years since the outlaw of chattel slavery, these Black-founded/lead groups are helping Black people (and us all) fight, survive, and heal from effects and causes of incarceration.

Find these groups on Instagram.

Did we miss a group you love (esp outside greater Boston)? Tell us! #mapoli
The following images are computer graphics with a black background. In the top left there are three scribbles in the pan-African colors red, yellow, and green. Cambridge HEART @heart_cambridge providing alternatives to police response Heal the Hood @HealTheHoodHTH providing dignified mutual aid and community connections The Black Response @TheBlackResponse replacing policing with community Families for Justice As Healing @JusticeAsHealing ending incarceration of women and girls Transgender Emergency Fund @TransEmergencyFund meeting basic needs of poor trans people Sisters Unchained @SistersUnchained empowering children of incarcerated parents African American Coalition Committee (Norfolk) reforming the criminal legal system Black Latino Asian Cultural Coalition (Shirley) @BLACC hosting cultural programming for self-empowerment and political engagement Jericho Boston @JerichoBostonOfficial writing political prisoners The Harriet Tubman Project @The.HarrietTubmanProject empowering wrongly convicted lifers Exoneree Network @ExonereeNetwork correcting and preventing wrongful convictions New England Innocence Project @NewEnglandInnocence ending wrongful convictions Healing Our Land, Inc. providing training and employment for Boston residents Explanations from Exile @ExplanationsFromExile fusing art, research, and activism to address systemic inequities Empowering Descendent Communities to Unlock Democracy @EDC.UnlockDemocracyMA addressing systemic inequities affecting descendent communities behind bars Youth Justice Power Union @YJPU_Bos fighting for a Boston budget that invests in communities of color Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition @MTPC fighting for trans/GNC people’s equal rights Democracy Behind Bars Coalition @DBB_MA dismantling disenfranchisement of incarcerated people Prophetic Resistance Boston @PropheticResistanceBoston building community action through faith Transformational Prison Project @TransformationalPrisonProject facilitating restorative dialogues New Beginnings Reentry Services @NewBeginningsReentryServices providing day programs and reentry support
June 19, 2025 at 5:14 PM
massamp1312.bsky.social
This Juneteenth, as we observe the celebration of the end of slavery, we raise up Black leadership in Mass. We recognize incarceration is a legacy of slavery, cops are the continuation of slave patrols, and the whole damn system is guilty as Hell. We celebrate those who resist their bonds #mapoli →
Computer image. ‎HAPPY JUNETEETH. A flag with a stripe of red, yellow, and green. As we observe the celebration of the end of slavery, we raise up Black leadership fighting, surviving, and healing from incarceration
June 19, 2025 at 5:14 PM