The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division today announced that an investigation into conditions at the Massachusetts Department of Correction "found reason to believe that the conditions violate the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution” by failing to provide adequate mental health care.
Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, today released the following statement in response:
“The ACLU is deeply concerned that the U.S. Department of Justice ‘found reason to believe’ that the state Department of Correction has been violating incarcerated people’s constitutional rights. But unfortunately, we are not surprised. Far too many people are incarcerated in conditions that threaten their health, safety, and human dignity on a daily basis. From providing adequate mental health care to slowing the spread of COVID-19, Massachusetts must do more to save the lives of people in jails and prisons. Above all, Massachusetts must downsize the footprint of its criminal legal system for the sake of public health and justice.”
November 17, 2020
