Headlines decrying the “opioid epidemic” have been in the news on a daily basis lately. Politicians, public figures and journalists here in Massachusetts as elsewhere […]
Videotaping Strip-Searches: Good Intentions and the Road to Hell
Within the next months, Massachusetts’ legislators are expected to consider an amendment mandating that “Strip searches of inmates, including the videotaping thereof, shall not be […]
Prostitution, Decriminalization and the Problem of Consent
Last month Amnesty International came out in support for “the full decriminalization of all aspects of consensual sex work.” The reasons make sense: Decriminalization will […]
Access to Education: Further Thoughts
In a previous post I warned about what I call “fake” education; that is, education that drills students in self-blame and a sense of failure […]
Knowledge is Power (Except for When It’s Not)
Expanding access to higher education has been in the news recently. First, the Obama administration announced a plan making state and federal prisoners eligible for […]
Thinking Outside the Cell: Concrete Suggestions for Positive Change
feature image by Patricia Aridjis “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” -Angela Davis […]
Coerced Treatment: An Oxymoron
According to a June 30, 2015 article in the Gloucester Times, “Responding to a scourge of heroin and opioid addiction, the head of one of […]
No New Jails. Period.
This is part one of a two-part series about bills regarding incarceration that are currently under consideration in Massachusetts “Notwithstanding any general or special law […]
Creating Community-based Alternatives to Incarceration: A Win – Win for Parents and Children
A bill to create community-based sentencing alternatives for non-violent primary caretakers of dependent children (House Bill #1382) was filed a few months ago in Massachusetts. […]
Taking My Students to Prison
I recently read this powerful piece by Jean Trounstine. Jean has graciously agreed to let me repost it here, so that I can share it with […]