Statement of Values
Decarceration & End Solitary
Our ultimate goal is decarceration and the abolition of the prison system. We believe that our tax dollars should be invested in the people of Massachusetts and used to address underlying social, economic and mental & public health issues. Communities that are most impacted by the criminal law system are those with a majority population of Black, Indigenous and People of Color populations as well and low income and Non-English speaking populations.
These impacted communities have a history of over-policing and their social systems being defunded. These communities need funds reinvested in them now and an end to criminalizing the people who live there. The people who live in these communties also need to be decision makers in the planning and implementation of any community investment program.
Until we can achieve our goal of decarceration and prison abolition, our committment and focus of our work is ending the torture of solitary confinement.
Partners
2023-2023 Priority Bills
2021-2022
UU Mass Action’s primary organizing coalition is Massachusetts Against Solitary Confinement Coalition (MASC). Our lead coalition partners include Black & Pink Massachusetts, Families for Justice as Healing, Prisoners’ Legal Services and our National Partner, National Religious Coalition Against Torture (UnLock the Box). The Senior Organizer and MASC Statewide Campaign Coordinator is Cassandra Bensahih cbensahih@uumassaction.org. An integral part of this campaign is to build relationships with survivors of solitary and invite them to the leadership team. Centering the voices of survivors is central to our work.
National Campaign Website: Unlock the Box
For more information, or to get involved, please email Reverand Jo Murphy at jmurphy@uumassaction.org.
DECARCERATION & END SOLITARY
SD.1406/HD.822 An Act Relative to Rehabilitation, Re-Entry, and Human Rights for Incarcerated Persons (Sen. Creem/Rep. Tyler) Fact Sheet
S.1979/H.1795An Act establishing a jail and prison construction moratorium. (Rep. Tyler/ Sen. Comerford) House Version Referred to Joint Committee on the Judiciary Senate Version Referred to Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight
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S.1578/H.2504 Criminal Justice Protections to all Prisoners in Segregated Confinement (Sen. Eldridge / Rep. Miranda) Fact Sheet Status: Joint Committee on Public Safety Awaiting hearing
S.1283/H.2089 Ensure the Constitutional rights and Human Dignity of Prisoners on Mental Health Watch (Eldridge/Fluker-Oakley) Fact Sheet Status: Joint Committee: Mental Health, Substance Use & Recovery Hearing date: 6/28/21
S.1559/H.1900 No Cost Phone Calls for Incarcerated People (Sen. Creem/ Rep. Tyler) Fact Sheet Status: Joint Committee on Judiciary Awaiting hearing
S.2030/H.1905 An Act establishing a jail and prison construction moratorium. (Sen. Comerford / Rep. Tyler) Fact Sheet Status: Senate Bill: Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Hearing date: 7/20/21 House bill: Judiciary Awaiting hearing
a note from a volunteer
Susannah Jones, a 2023 MSW candidate from Smith College School for Social Work, has been working with UUMA since September. She reflects on that work below.
“I am pursuing my master’s in social work at Smith College and have been lucky enough to intern with UUMass Action/MASC organizer Cassandra Bensahih since September. Being a part of this community has been fundamental to my education in liberation and I feel privileged to be able to invite others to join in their efforts to end solitary confinement and incarceration once and for all.
Hearing Cassandra speak about ending the torture of solitary confinement is, in itself, a privilege. If you’re like me and you know that decarceration aligns with your beliefs but are new to the work of actively advocating for abolition, her insights will supercharge your desire for liberation and change.”
Actions
Join Our Pen Pal Program
Are you interested in becoming a pen pal with a person who is incarcerated? Let us know! We will provide training and support and then share the names of people who are waiting for a pen pal
For more information, or to get involved, please email Reverand Jo Murphy at jmurphy@uumassaction.org.
Resources
On Abolition:
Abolition Is a Collective Vision: An Interview With Mariame Kaba
So You’re Thinking About Becoming an Abolitionist
What alternatives can look like:
On our Criminal Justice System and Solitary Confinement
In June 2023, women incarcerated at MCI-Framingham testified virtually at a legislative hearing for the first time in Massachusetts history. The women who testified unanimously support the Jail and Prison Construction Moratorium.
Making phone calls from prison is now free in Massachusetts
A Blueprint For Ending Solitary Confinement by the Federal Government
Solitary: the Family Experience, Citizens for Prison Reform
Dept of Justice Report on the Dept. of Corrections, 11/17/20
Racial Justice Disparities in the Massachusetts Criminal System, Harvard University, 10/14/20
Right on Crime Report; A Window Into Solitary Confinement and Its Many Alternatives 1/28/20
Prisoners’ Legal Services Press release in response to the violence that occurred at Souza-Baranowski in Jan 13, 2020
Quarterly Report on Restrictive Housing, An Initial Analysis
DOC Staffing and Costs, 2012 - 2019, Summary of Data and Findings: Questions to Pose
Changing culture is key to fixing prisons, Updated December 3, 2019
Federal officials investigate Mass. prisons on elderly, ill inmates, solitary confinement By Maria Cramer Globe Staff,May 23, 2019
Solitary Confinement: The Case for Change in Massachusetts PLS White Paper, 2016
Join Black Lives UU & Love Resists to disrupt mass incarceration and end cash money bail! Download their End Money Bail Community Workbook and sign up to facilitate a group. See Love Resists resources on how mass incarceration starts with money bail, our freedom starts with ending it!
Facts Over Fear, by Rahsaan Hall and Nasser Eledroos, ACLU MA The benefits of declining to prosecute misdemeanor and low-level felony offenses
Council of State Governments, Justice Center: 2016-2017 Reports
Resource list, compiled by Colleen Kirby, LWV: Criminal Justice Reform Reading List
Study: “Every Second, The Impact of the Incarceration Crisis on American Families.” Study conducted by Fwd.us and Cornell University