At FFIMI, we have sounded this alarm before—and we are far from alone. Advocates, families, clinicians, and impacted individuals have long called for meaningful change at Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH). Yet the suffering continues. The population at BSH includes some of the most vulnerable people in our state—individuals living with serious mental illness. These individuals… Continue reading Bridge Over Troubled Waters: A Call for Change at Bridgewater State Hospital
Incarceration is often defined by loss—the loss of freedom, autonomy, connection, and purpose. But in certain prisons, programs exist that challenge this stark reality, offering opportunities for growth, healing, and service. One such program is the American VetDogs Prison Puppy Program, which allows incarcerated individuals to raise and train service dogs that will eventually assist… Continue reading The Transformative Power of the Prison Puppy Program
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,… Continue reading K2 in Massachusetts Prisons: An Epidemic Without a Real Solution
At FFIMI, we know how vital family and community connections are for our loved ones who are incarcerated. These relationships provide emotional support, promote well-being, and are essential to rehabilitation and successful re-entry. Yet, restrictive visitation policies in Massachusetts prisons and jails continue to create unnecessary barriers that keep families apart. That’s why we are… Continue reading Keep Families Connected Coalition: Support Legislation to Improve Visitation Policies
Another scathing report about Bridgewater State Hospital Disabiltiy Law Center just released their Feb. 6, 2025 report and the conditions at Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH) have NOT improved. The report states: "The Commonwealth must stop waiting for change that will never come and protect BSH Persons Served (PS), a population widely recognized as including individuals… Continue reading Disability Law Center Finds Unlawful, Violent Practices and Unsafe Environmental Conditions Persist at Bridgewater State Hospital
Highrock Beyond Bars invites you to gather with and on behalf of those affected by incarceration to encourage practitioners, engage with stories of change, and be equipped in the pursuit of justice, redemption, and restoration. This year’s conference will focus on being Locked in Solidarity with those who are currently and formerly incarcerated, particularly in relation to their… Continue reading Locked in Solidarity Conference
Repost from WBUR December 11, 2024 by Cristela Guerra and Stephanie Brown The story of FFIMI friend and supporter, Ernest Nate Benjamin, was told in an interview on WBUR 90.1 radio today. Nate is in a group of about 150 individuals in Massachusetts who were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole… Continue reading A year after Mass. high court ruled emerging adults should have parole, no one has been released
By Guest Blogger Ernest Nate Benjamin Hello again, friends, family, and supporters of Family and Friends of Individuals with Mental Illness! Before I begin, I’d like to share a thought-provoking quote: “It becomes more necessary to see the truth as it is if you realize that the only vehicle for change are these people who… Continue reading Rehabilitation Over Profit: The Case for Meaningful Prison Programs
Wednesday, November 13, 7pm - Gasson Hall, Chestnut Hill MacArthur “Genius Grant” Fellow and University of Chicago sociologist Dr. Reuben Miller is the author of Halfway Home: Race, Punishment, and the Afterlife of Mass Incarceration. As a chaplain at the Cook County Jail in Chicago and as a sociologist studying mass incarceration, he has spent years… Continue reading Dr. Reuben Jonathan Miller – this week at Boston College
At FFIMI, we are committed to learning from global approaches that prioritize dignity, mental health, and rehabilitation for incarcerated individuals. The article we’re sharing today highlights the progressive Nordic prison model, which emphasizes humane treatment and rehabilitation—an approach that stands in stark contrast to the punitive conditions found in many U.S. prisons, especially for those… Continue reading Green Space in Prison: Rehabilitation through Beautification
Family and Friends of Individuals with Mental Illness ~ Advocating for those who are Justice Involved 