NO NEW WOMEN’S PRISON. Now or ever.
We are Families for Justice as Healing and The National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls. Our mission is to end the incarceration of women and girls.
Our 2025-26 policy priorities are the Prison Moratorium, Elder and Medical Parole, Decriminalizing drugs, and the MA Survivors Act. Read more here.
★WAYS TO GET INVOLVED: bit.ly/nonewprisonvolunteer
★CONTACT: mhanora@justiceashealing.org
★PLEASE NOTE we are holding a special Town Hall for residents of Framingham and Metrowest area on Saturday, November 22nd at noon, with options to attend in-person or virtually: https://bit.ly/FraminghamTownHall
TAKE ACTION:
- Contact the House Chair of Ways and Means for the Moratorium Bill
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★ADVANCE ELDER AND MEDICAL PAROLE BEFORE THE DEADLINE
The Chairs of the Public Safety Committee must take action on the Elder and Medical Parole Bill BEFORE THE DECEMBER 3rd REPORTING DEADLINE! Contact them today and tell them to advance the bill!
Learn more about the bill here: tinyurl.com/ElderToolkit
Contact Information:
Senate Chair John Cronin
(617) 722-1230
Senate Vice Chair William Driscoll
(617) 722-1643
House Chair Daniel Cahill
(617) 722-2020
House Vice Chair Christopher Worrell
Christopher.Worrell@mahouse.gov
(617) 722-2396
Example script:
“Hello my name is _______________, and I am calling/emailing to ask that you favorably report out the Elder and Medical bill (S.1722)/(H.2693) before the upcoming deadline on December 3rd. This bill will alleviate suffering and save the Commonwealth money with no negative impact on public safety. Please take action to advance this bill as soon as possible.”
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★CONTACT HOUSE CHAIR OF WAYS AND MEANS FOR THE MORATORIUM
Legislators could pause the $360 million women’s prison project by passing the Jail and Prison Construction Moratorium. The House version of the Prison Moratorium was just reported favorably out of committee on 10/21, so we have a REAL chance to pass this bill.
The bill will now be moved to the Ways and Means Committee. Please contact the Chair and urge him to ensure the Prison Moratorium is passed by the House.
Ways and Means House Chair Michlewitz
Aaron.M.Michlewitz@mahouse.gov
(617) 722-2990
Example script:
“Hello my name is _______________, I am reaching out because the Prison Moratorium was reported favorably out of the State Administration committee and referred to Ways and Means. Please do everything you can to advance the Prison Moratorium as soon as possible. I don’t want my tax dollars used for the $360 million women’s prison because it will not help women heal and advance their lives, or make our communities safer. Please advance the Prison Moratorium to pause jail and prison construction for five years, and work with Speaker Mariano to pass this bill. Thank you.”
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★CONTACT YOUR STATE REP AND SENATOR
Please call your State Rep and Senator and urge them to pass your priority bills.
Find out who your State Rep and Senator are here.
Example script:
“Hello my name is _______________, and I am your constituent. I am contacting about two of my top priority bills. The Jail and Prison Construction Moratorium (H3422) was reported favorably out of committee and is now in Ways and Means. This bill would pause prison design and construction for five years, including the $360 million women’s prison. The Public Safety Committee is also still considering the Elder and Medical Parole Bill ((S.1722)/(H.2693), which would allow the oldest and sickest people in the DOC who cannot cause any further harm to be considered for release. Both of these bills promote dignity and well-being and would save the Commonwealth money at a moment when we’re facing unprecedented federal cuts. Please advocate to pass these bills as soon as possible.”
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In a moment of federal crisis, let’s call on our Governor to invest in communities, not prison construction that will only advance the Trump agenda.
Email: constituent.services@mass.gov
Example message:
Dear Governor Healey,
Massachusetts is currently planning to spend $360 million on a new women’s prison. There is no better time than now to redirect those funds into communities struggling.
Building another prison will not make our communities safer. We need investments in housing, healthcare, food justice, education, childcare, mental health supports, and community healing.
Every dollar spent on incarceration is a dollar taken from the possibility of transformation. Across Massachusetts, communities are already creating real safety through mutual aid, basic income programs, housing assistance, community pantries, wellness initiatives, and transformative justice practices that reduce harm.
We are calling on you to reallocate the $360 million to strengthen these community-based solutions. Imagine what Massachusetts could look like if that level of investment went into building healthy 100-year-old communities instead of 100-year-old prisons.
We are also calling on you to use your clemency power. While the federal government is escalating brutal enforcement and punishment, you can promote justice, equity, and mercy by granting people second chances — especially aging and sick women who have served decades of time like Nancy Netto.
This is our moment to make a different choice — to choose care over cages, healing over harm, and people over punishment.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City/Town]