By Ernest Nate Benjmamin Hello, friends and supporters of Family and Friends of Individuals with Mental Illness. A few months ago I had the opportunity to share my thoughts regarding my 29 years behind the walls of Massachusetts state prisons. Again, I was asked to guest write for the FFIMI blog. This time it's a… Continue reading My Battle with PTSD – Before and After Being Behind the Wall
Boston, MA – The Disability Law Center (DLC) has issued its July 2023 report detailing findings and recommendations from its intensive monitoring activities at Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH), including the Bridgewater Annex Units at Old Colony Correctional Center. DLC covers an array of topics in the report, all of which indicate that health and safety risks… Continue reading Disability Law Center Again Recommends Transfer of Oversight of Bridgewater State Hospital to the Department of Mental Health Due to Continuing Health and Safety Risks and Rights Violations
This summer has been a productive month of advocacy for the Family and Friends of Individuals with Mental Illness. Several of our members participated in two Massachusetts legislative hearings in support of the following bills: Representative Ruth Balser’s bill H.2985 An Act transferring Bridgewater State Hospital from the Department of Correction to the Department of… Continue reading FFIMI Supports Two Important Legislative Bills
We share the following anonymous, true story to shed light on the culture inside the walls of correctional institutions. It exemplifies the continuous trauma that individuals endure in the system. It must change and we will continue to speak on behalf of those who have no voice. It feels good to have my hands in… Continue reading The Price of a Mint Leaf: A Day in the Life on the Inside
by Jean Casella ~ Reposted from Solitary Watch May 23, 2023 Solitary Watch and Unlock the Box sent out the following press release on the morning of May 23, 2023. Washington, DC — The watchdog group Solitary Watch and the advocacy coalition Unlock the Box today released a groundbreaking joint report showing that at least 122,840… Continue reading New Report Finds More than 122,000 People in Solitary Confinement in the US
An Opportunity to Testify on Behalf of Justice-Involved Individuals Have you wondered if there is anything specific and tangible you can do to support the mission of FFIMI and criminal justice reform? We're sharing the following information to inform you of an important avenue of support you should be aware of and may decide to… Continue reading Mass Judiciary Committee Hearing Announced for Tuesday, July 25th, 1pm ET
by Donna Winant Many families have paid out great amounts of money for phone calls to keep in touch with incarcerated loved ones. This can cause financial hardships for many struggling to keep afloat. If families have to limit calls due to finances, they cannot receive assurance that their loved one is surviving their incarceration. This… Continue reading Free Phone Calls for Incarcerated Individuals = Family Connection
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
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
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
Family and Friends of Individuals with Mental Illness ~ Advocating for those who are Justice Involved 