Author: FFIMI

Disability Law Center Finds Serious Health and Safety Concerns at Bridgewater State Hospital, Confirming Widespread Mold and Improper Use of Restraint

FFIMI

On February 9, 2022 the Disability Law Center (“DLC”) issued a public report summarizing its findings from its monitoring efforts at Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH) from July 2021 through December 2021. On January 31, 2022, DLC released a private, unredacted version of the report to select government officials, pursuant to its legislative authority to monitor… Continue reading Disability Law Center Finds Serious Health and Safety Concerns at Bridgewater State Hospital, Confirming Widespread Mold and Improper Use of Restraint

Judge Not

FFIMI

By Advocate and Family Member, Donna Winant Mental disorders and/or structural abnormalities of the brain comprise a broad range of problems with different symptoms.  However, they are generally characterized by some combination of abnormal thoughts, emotions, behavior and relationships with others. These conditions are referred to as Serious Mental Illness (SMI) within the system of governance… Continue reading Judge Not

Severe Mental Illness and Violence, Revisited  

FFIMI

By Elizabeth Sinclair Hancq, Treatment Advocacy Center As discussed in the article, mental health advocates have avoided any associations of violence and mental illness, due to concerns of stigma, but as the author states, and members of FFIMI can personally attest to, "Failure to acknowledge associations with violence perpetration in turn risks leaving clinical needs unmet… Continue reading Severe Mental Illness and Violence, Revisited  

Correction spending rises while incarcerated population declines in Massachusetts

FFIMI

January 04, 2022. Chris Lisinski, State House News Service In this story from WBUR, it is clear that accountability is needed to ensure that state funding for places of incarceration is used to provide expanded programming that individuals in correctional facilities can access. This is good for incarcerated individuals' mental health and for the community… Continue reading Correction spending rises while incarcerated population declines in Massachusetts

Alternative to Solitary Confinement Offers Promising Results for Inmates  

FFIMI

By Kelli South is the research associate at the Treatment Advocacy Center. Incarcerated individuals with serious mental illness are much more likely to be placed in solitary confinement compared to incarcerated individuals without serious mental illness. There is a wealth of research that shows the deleterious effects that solitary confinement can have on an individual, including increasing rates of depression, anxiety and… Continue reading Alternative to Solitary Confinement Offers Promising Results for Inmates  

Charging for prison phone calls burdens families

FFIMI

While the SJC ponders the “legalized kickbacks” of telecom contracts, lawmakers can fix this now. By Boston Globe - The Editorial Board - Updated November 3, 2021 It’s a relatively simple proposition: Good corrections policy that helps those behind bars maintain family ties can lead to better outcomes — like lower recidivism rates and more successful reentry… Continue reading Charging for prison phone calls burdens families

Pen Pals for Incarcerated Individuals Needed!

FFIMI

FFIMI would like to share an opportunity to make a difference in the life of an incarcerated individual. MASC (Massachusetts Against Solitary Confinement) is coordinating this pen pal program and this week they received 15 new requests for pen pals from people who are incarcerated!  They now have 31 people who are waiting to be pen pals with… Continue reading Pen Pals for Incarcerated Individuals Needed!