By Meaghan Winter This article from the May/June 2021 issue of Psychotherapy Networker highlights the deplorable way the the criminal justice system treats those who suffer with mental illness, often causing worsening conditions and pushing them down a painful and dangerous path. Mental Health Courts, also known as problem-solving courts, offer a chance of a trauma… Continue reading Courts of Dignity
Massachusetts State Senator Cindy F. Friedman has introduced Bill No. S.1034, which can be viewed at https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S1034. Although as many as 20 States have enacted what are known as Guilty But Mentally Ill (GBMI) statutes, the newly proposed Massachusetts bill differs significantly from those other GBMI statutes in a few critical ways. Those differences lead… Continue reading Important Upcoming Legislation – Why FFIMI Supports It and What Sets it Apart
FFIMI is proud to unveil our new logo which is an original design by one of our family member's loved one who is incarcerated. They put a lot of time and thought into its creation and we feel that the design beautifully depicts a foundational element of our mission - the love we hold for… Continue reading FFIMI’s New Logo
FFIMI is Featured in the MGH Center of Excellence Summer Newsletter We are excited to share about an important partnership that has been formed between the MGH COE and FFIMI. They reached out to us to learn about our lived experience and understand our concerns. The result was the formation of The Correctional Psychiatry Working… Continue reading FFIMI Partnership with Mass General Hospital Center of Excellence (COE) for Psychosocial and Systemic Research
Massachusetts needs to find a better way to care for peoplewith mental illness who remain behind bars.By The Editorial Board Updated July 1, 2021, 4:00 a.m Several FFIMI members recently testified at the Commonwealth’s Hearing of the Committee on Mental Health, Substance on Monday June 28th. The hearing lasted for over 5 hours and testimony… Continue reading Making Prisons More Humane – Boston Globe
At FFIMI, we are well aware of our need for support, and the challenge it can be to find it. Having a loved one who is justice involved and struggling with mental illness often leaves one feeling afraid and isolated. It helps to find others who can truly understand. The following resource is shared by… Continue reading JUSTICE THAT RESTORES
FFIMI is happy to share the following invitation from PYP to join an inspiring free session from their digital interview series. "Join us for our series, The Journey Inward, as we hear stories of healing and transformation from individuals who have experienced incarceration. Our guest this week is named Danny Plunkett, a previous participant with James Fox… Continue reading Prison Yoga Project: The Journey Inward – June 23rd 12-1:30 pm ET
We have been so fortunate to connected with the wonderful people at Prison Yoga Project. Two of their yoga providers have been working with us to offer a 9 week mindfulness zoom program for friends and families of incarcerated individuals. They believe that, "most incarcerated people have a history of complex, interpersonal trauma. Unless this… Continue reading Healing Harm Webinar
These two poems were written by an incarcerated loved one of a member of FFIMI. They wrote them based off of the view of their window and wonder how many poems they can write about the same view. 1/29/21 The just full moon is hanging low, an eerie yellow daffodil glow, a stoic lantern rising… Continue reading A Window Into the Soul
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com In just a few days, on March 20th, it will have been a year since the first cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in prisons in Massachusetts and Georgia. The next day, Anthony Cheek would become the first prisoner to die from the virus at age 49. The weeks that… Continue reading Overcoming Medical Mistrust
Family and Friends of Individuals with Mental Illness ~ Advocating for those who are Justice Involved 