Families, friends, mentors, and loved ones of prisoners already have a hard time maintaining connections. Many cultures represented in Massachusetts prisons are cultures with large families. Cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws are as close as brothers and sisters.

The Massachusetts DOC has implemented a new regulation limiting the number of visitors and only if they are on a pre-approved visitor list. This includes:
maximum security prisons – 5 visitors only
medium security prisons – 8 visitors only
minimum security prisons – 10 visitors only
All prisoners will only be able to change their visitor list at a few set times per year. Read 103 CMR 483 here.

We must stop these Contact Visit Restrictions and pressure the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) to roll it back if they try to impose these restrictions. We refuse to allow them to cut this vital communication and lifeline for prisoners, loved ones, and communities! 

From the words of a Massachusetts prisoner:
"I have been incarcerated in the Massachusetts Department of Corrections prisons for over thirty years. Throughout these years I have been blessed to have the spiritual, physical and emotional support of my family and friends.

I am not talking about eight members of my family, as the DOC would have me choose. I am speaking of many members of my family and a large number of friends. Ninety percent of my immediate family live in three different states. I don't know when they are visiting until they are in the state. This list is telling me to select eight family and friend members that I love more than the others. That is one thing I refuse to do."

This petition will be sent to the Governor, the DOC Commissioner, and others who have power in Massachusetts.

We, the undersigned, are against the implementation of this restrictive regulation, effective March 23rd, 2018.

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