K2 in Massachusetts Prisons: An Epidemic Without a Real Solution

Lockdowns and time in ‘the hole’ are no substitute for treatment.

FFIMI shares this summary of Boston Globe Article from December 22, 2024, by the Editorial Board.

Incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts prisons are facing a growing crisis: the widespread availability and devastating impact of the synthetic cannabinoid K2. The Boston Globe recently highlighted this epidemic, shedding light on the personal struggles of incarcerated individuals like Iran Diaz, who became addicted to K2 while serving a life sentence. His story is one of many, revealing a system that punishes substance use but fails to provide adequate treatment.

Despite efforts to curb the flow of K2—through mail restrictions, drug-sniffing dogs, and increased surveillance—the drug remains easily accessible inside prison walls. The Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) acknowledges a rise in overdoses, medical emergencies, and assaults linked to K2, yet their response remains focused on enforcement rather than rehabilitation.

Attorneys and advocates argue that the DOC’s approach mirrors the failed “War on Drugs,” emphasizing punishment rather than treatment. While some treatment programs exist, such as the Correctional Recovery Academy, they are limited in scope and reportedly outdated. Without a real investment in treatment and rehabilitation, those suffering from addiction remain trapped in a cycle of punishment rather than recovery.

For FFIMI, this issue underscores the urgent need for humane, evidence-based solutions within our correctional system. We must push for policies that prioritize treatment over punishment and ensure that incarcerated individuals struggling with addiction receive the help they need to heal.