Governor Baker has vetoed an important public health and safety measure to slow the spread of COVID-19 in prisons. This measure was included in the Massachusetts budget, and would create safe and reasonable steps to release people in prison who are most vulnerable.

Since October 1, over 1,000 incarcerated people have contracted the virus and a growing number are hospitalized. Following the lead of public health experts, including the National Academy of Science and the American Public Health Association, our Legislature passed critical decarceration measures in the budget (line item 8900-0001) via Senate Amendment 325, sponsored by Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, recognizing the current urgency for action.

Please contact your legislators today and ask them to save lives now in our prisons and jails and restore line item 8900-0001 of the budget.

Although we are relieved that prisoners are among those in the first phase of vaccine distribution, it will be months before any vaccine is administered to all those incarcerated, and even longer before infection in prisons is controlled. Failing to act now means intolerable harm and further deaths.

We join Prisoner Legal Services, Black and Pink MA and other community partners in asking you to call, email, tweet, or post on Facebook now.

We are pleased that another priority of GLAD’s stayed in the budget: the data collection bill that increases transparency for LGBTQ people subjected to solitary confinement. But the safety of all people who are currently incarcerated, as well as their loved ones, is at stake right now. This is an important moment for the Commonwealth – and we need you to join us in taking action today.

PLEASE CONTACT: 

Your State Senator and Representative
Click here to find their contact information

Speaker Robert DeLeo
Phone: (617) 722-2500
Email: Robert.DeLeo@mahouse.gov
Twitter: @SpeakerDeLeo

​​​Senate President Karen Spilka
Phone: (617) 722-1500
Email: Karen.Spilka@masenate.gov
Twitter: @KarenSpilka

Thank you for taking action!