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 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
November 7, 2025 at 4:05 PM
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
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!
October 24, 2025 at 8:54 PM
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!
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
October 15, 2025 at 9:58 PM
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.
October 15, 2025 at 9:48 PM
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.
October 15, 2025 at 8:56 PM
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.
October 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
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!
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!
October 14, 2025 at 5:17 PM
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!
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!
On 10/15, the legislature will hear testimony on a bill that will improve visitation access for incarcerated people and their loved ones. Current policies are overly restrictive and have caused visitation numbers to drop sharply since they were implemented. Please get involved!
October 9, 2025 at 9:07 PM
On 10/15, the legislature will hear testimony on a bill that will improve visitation access for incarcerated people and their loved ones. Current policies are overly restrictive and have caused visitation numbers to drop sharply since they were implemented. Please get involved!
On October 15th, the legislature will hear testimony on PLS' Dignity and Freedom Platform, including our bill that will help address structural racism in carceral settings. Learn more about the bill and how you can support the Dignity and Freedom platform, including by testifying at the hearing!
October 8, 2025 at 9:30 PM
On October 15th, the legislature will hear testimony on PLS' Dignity and Freedom Platform, including our bill that will help address structural racism in carceral settings. Learn more about the bill and how you can support the Dignity and Freedom platform, including by testifying at the hearing!
Next week, the legislature will hear testimony on PLS' Dignity and Freedom Platform , which is grounded in input from people who are in prisons and jails throughout the Commonwealth. There are several ways for you to get involved!
October 7, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Next week, the legislature will hear testimony on PLS' Dignity and Freedom Platform , which is grounded in input from people who are in prisons and jails throughout the Commonwealth. There are several ways for you to get involved!
On October 15th, the legislature will hear testimony on PLS' Dignity and Freedom Platform , which is grounded in input from people who are in prisons and jails throughout the Commonwealth. Check out this poster and guide to learn more about how you can support PLS' legislative advocacy!
October 6, 2025 at 4:58 PM
On October 15th, the legislature will hear testimony on PLS' Dignity and Freedom Platform , which is grounded in input from people who are in prisons and jails throughout the Commonwealth. Check out this poster and guide to learn more about how you can support PLS' legislative advocacy!
Today, PLS' Race Equity Initiative (REICI) hosted a briefing about a bill that would address structural racism in corrections through increased transparency & accountability. Thank you to everyone who made today a success! If you would like to get involved with REICI, sign up at: plsma.org/JoinREICI
October 1, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Today, PLS' Race Equity Initiative (REICI) hosted a briefing about a bill that would address structural racism in corrections through increased transparency & accountability. Thank you to everyone who made today a success! If you would like to get involved with REICI, sign up at: plsma.org/JoinREICI
Hear Nithya Badrinath of Jane Doe Inc. (JDI) speak about why JDI and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations oppose the proposal for a new $360 million "trauma-informed" women's prison. Follow the link in our bio or go to linktr.ee/pls_ma to learn more and get involved.
September 25, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Hear Nithya Badrinath of Jane Doe Inc. (JDI) speak about why JDI and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations oppose the proposal for a new $360 million "trauma-informed" women's prison. Follow the link in our bio or go to linktr.ee/pls_ma to learn more and get involved.
We hope that you can join us for our next legislative briefing regarding a bill that would address structural racism in corrections through independent oversight.
📅 Oct. 1
🕐 10:00 AM
📍 MA Statehouse, Room 222
Please register here: Plsma.org/Briefing
📅 Oct. 1
🕐 10:00 AM
📍 MA Statehouse, Room 222
Please register here: Plsma.org/Briefing
September 23, 2025 at 7:17 PM
We hope that you can join us for our next legislative briefing regarding a bill that would address structural racism in corrections through independent oversight.
📅 Oct. 1
🕐 10:00 AM
📍 MA Statehouse, Room 222
Please register here: Plsma.org/Briefing
📅 Oct. 1
🕐 10:00 AM
📍 MA Statehouse, Room 222
Please register here: Plsma.org/Briefing
A new report by Physicians for Human Rights explores solitary confinement in U.S. immigration detention with a spotlight on New England. Read the full report here: phr.org/wp-content/u...
September 18, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A new report by Physicians for Human Rights explores solitary confinement in U.S. immigration detention with a spotlight on New England. Read the full report here: phr.org/wp-content/u...
At a recent event, PLS Attorney Leah Hastings spoke about increased immigrant detention in the region and the deplorable conditions at ICE detention centers. Learn more about PLS' immigration detention advocacy here: plsma.org/find-help/ic...
September 17, 2025 at 9:23 PM
At a recent event, PLS Attorney Leah Hastings spoke about increased immigrant detention in the region and the deplorable conditions at ICE detention centers. Learn more about PLS' immigration detention advocacy here: plsma.org/find-help/ic...
Today we hosted a briefing for An Act relative to human rights and improved outcomes for incarcerated people (S.1651/H.2608) alongside lawmakers & heard testimony from incarcerated people in favor of the bill. To learn more and support PLS' work, please visit: plsma.org/what-we-do/l...
September 10, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Today we hosted a briefing for An Act relative to human rights and improved outcomes for incarcerated people (S.1651/H.2608) alongside lawmakers & heard testimony from incarcerated people in favor of the bill. To learn more and support PLS' work, please visit: plsma.org/what-we-do/l...
The Hear Our Voices: Testimony Workshop will provide information about efforts to change joint venture law in MA and how to provide testimony in front of the MA State Legislature.
📅 9/13
🕐 12-2pm
📍 BU Law (765 Commonwealth Ave)
Please register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
📅 9/13
🕐 12-2pm
📍 BU Law (765 Commonwealth Ave)
Please register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
September 8, 2025 at 8:40 PM
The Hear Our Voices: Testimony Workshop will provide information about efforts to change joint venture law in MA and how to provide testimony in front of the MA State Legislature.
📅 9/13
🕐 12-2pm
📍 BU Law (765 Commonwealth Ave)
Please register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
📅 9/13
🕐 12-2pm
📍 BU Law (765 Commonwealth Ave)
Please register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
On September 8 at 7:00 PM, join the League of Women Voters of MA and the League of Women Voters of Plymouth Monday, September 8 at 7:00 PM at Plymouth Town Hall for a public education forum, Immigration Detention in the Commonwealth. Learn more here: www.facebook.com/events/79438...
September 5, 2025 at 2:44 PM
On September 8 at 7:00 PM, join the League of Women Voters of MA and the League of Women Voters of Plymouth Monday, September 8 at 7:00 PM at Plymouth Town Hall for a public education forum, Immigration Detention in the Commonwealth. Learn more here: www.facebook.com/events/79438...
Are you a part of an organization that supports carceral reform? PLS is seeking organizational sign on for its Dignity and Freedom Platform which was created in partnership with incarcerated people and impacted communities. Learn more and sign on here: plsma.org/DignityAndFreedom
September 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Are you a part of an organization that supports carceral reform? PLS is seeking organizational sign on for its Dignity and Freedom Platform which was created in partnership with incarcerated people and impacted communities. Learn more and sign on here: plsma.org/DignityAndFreedom
This comprehensive report documents the complains of overcrowding, inadequate health care and other mistreatment at Plymouth detention center going back to 2002. www.bu.edu/law/files/20...
August 29, 2025 at 9:29 PM
This comprehensive report documents the complains of overcrowding, inadequate health care and other mistreatment at Plymouth detention center going back to 2002. www.bu.edu/law/files/20...
Visitation between incarcerated people & their families have positive impacts for everyone — including better health, reduced recidivism, and improvement in school. Please contact your reps and ask for their support of a bill to improve visitation access: secure.everyaction.com/EmkBzKaBSEaK...
August 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Visitation between incarcerated people & their families have positive impacts for everyone — including better health, reduced recidivism, and improvement in school. Please contact your reps and ask for their support of a bill to improve visitation access: secure.everyaction.com/EmkBzKaBSEaK...
Join @lwvma.bsky.social and the LWV of Plymouth Monday, 9/8 at 7:00 PM at Plymouth Town Hall for an in-person public education forum about proposed state legislation to end immigration detention agreements and how it impacts Plymouth County.
August 20, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Join @lwvma.bsky.social and the LWV of Plymouth Monday, 9/8 at 7:00 PM at Plymouth Town Hall for an in-person public education forum about proposed state legislation to end immigration detention agreements and how it impacts Plymouth County.
There is still time to register for the upcoming REICI Monthly Community Coalition Meeting! Join us to learn from advocates and community members about legislation that would address structural racism in the MA DOC:
events.humanitix.com/reici-monthl...
events.humanitix.com/reici-monthl...
July 29, 2025 at 6:41 PM
There is still time to register for the upcoming REICI Monthly Community Coalition Meeting! Join us to learn from advocates and community members about legislation that would address structural racism in the MA DOC:
events.humanitix.com/reici-monthl...
events.humanitix.com/reici-monthl...
Joint Venture theory allows a person to be held responsible even if they didn't personally commit a crime, but they participated in its commission with others. The way it's interpreted has raised concerns about fairness & due process. Help support legislation that would address these issues!
July 14, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Joint Venture theory allows a person to be held responsible even if they didn't personally commit a crime, but they participated in its commission with others. The way it's interpreted has raised concerns about fairness & due process. Help support legislation that would address these issues!