Boston, MA – The Disability Law Center (DLC) has issued our January 2023 public report summarizing findings and recommendations arising out of intensive monitoring efforts at Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH) from July 2022 through December 2022. The report examines both continuing and new concerns discovered during this reporting period related to facility conditions and BSH policies… Continue reading Disability Law Center Finds Continuing Systemic Rights Violations and Health and Safety Risks at Bridgewater State Hospital
Tag: mental health advocacy
NAMI Board Member and Family Advocate Adds His Voice at Judiciary Oversight Committee
Introduction My name is Tom Kavanaugh. I am a board member of my local NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) chapter, the facilitator of the Bridgewater State Hospital Families Group, and the father of a son with mental illness who is currently being held at the hospital. About the Patients If I may, I’d like… Continue reading NAMI Board Member and Family Advocate Adds His Voice at Judiciary Oversight Committee
Bridgewater State Hospital Must be Placed Under the Dept. of Mental Health – Not the Dept. of Correction
Representative Michael Day, who moderated the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary oversight hearings on December 21 stated in the February 2022 issue of Commonwealth Magazine that the then recent Disability Law Center (DLC) report was "deeply disturbing." Based on the January 2022 and July 2022 DLC reports, a barrage of damning news articles, meetings between the Criminal Justice… Continue reading Bridgewater State Hospital Must be Placed Under the Dept. of Mental Health – Not the Dept. of Correction
A Lack of Chaplain Services at Bridgewater State Hospital
By Donna Winant For the past seven months there was no chaplain at Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH). Before that, there was a short-term chaplain. And previous to that, for months and months, there was no chaplain. Family members pushed and pushed and gave suggestions for temporary solutions. This was ignored until advocate voices became louder… Continue reading A Lack of Chaplain Services at Bridgewater State Hospital
Reflections on Incarceration and Release
By M. I spent the last six and half years incarcerated. The first two years were spent at Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH). The later years at a county house of corrections. I always felt like I was living someone else's life, that I was in this nightmare and I could not wake up. At first… Continue reading Reflections on Incarceration and Release
Bridgewater State Hospital in Hot Water Regarding Oversight
Advocates and families clash with pro-status quo government forces to transfer the hospital out of the hands of the Department of Corrections by Summer Maxwell - Repost from Student Dispatch Boston - Stories Around Boston - Nov. 2, 2022 *Editor's note: This piece was written prior to the Massachusetts Elections. FFIMI hopes for positive action… Continue reading Bridgewater State Hospital in Hot Water Regarding Oversight
staying grounded…in the noise
Reflections after first 6 months in prison - by Ben W. I feel just a real sense of security, maybe, like a strength of self and of purpose, when I reconnect with and talk to my friends from before prison. I always forget this, though. It's like, in this land of insanity, they can remind… Continue reading staying grounded…in the noise
Worcester County Jail programming seeks to break cycle of generational incarceration
Spectrum News 1, by Sloane Perron, Worcester County, 8/12/22 WEST BOYLSTON, Mass. - When Marcel Santos-Padgett first came to the Worcester County Jail & House of Corrections in April, he was addicted to marijuana and alcohol. Realizing that he wanted to change his ways for both himself and for his family, Santos-Padgett voluntarily signed up… Continue reading Worcester County Jail programming seeks to break cycle of generational incarceration
Little has been done to correct problems at Bridgewater State Hospital, report finds
WBUR by Deborah Becker A new report found little has been done to correct problems at Bridgewater State Hospital, including the use of medications to chemically restrain patients. The Disability Law Center (DLC) found that the Massachusetts Department of Correction, which operates the facility, illegally used chemical and physical restraints on people in custody, lacks adequate services… Continue reading Little has been done to correct problems at Bridgewater State Hospital, report finds
Challenging Solitary Confinement for People with Serious Mental Illness
Treatment Advocacy Center - Research Weekly Publication by Morré Taylor; Photo by Khashayar Kouchpeydeh By Morré Taylor (August 10, 2022) People with serious mental illness have a long history of being highly engaged in the criminal justice system, as at least 40% of individuals with serious mental illness have been in jail or prison during their… Continue reading Challenging Solitary Confinement for People with Serious Mental Illness
Family and Friends of Individuals with Mental Illness 