MIDDLESEX COUNTY PRISON COORDINATING COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER

MCPCC met on July 16, 2002 in Newtonville. Mary Ann Donaldson, Beverly Wilkins, Elizabeth Woodbridge, Tom Crowther, Judy Lustig and Marjorie Moerschner were present.

Mary Ann and Beverly, together with Margot Lindsay, attended the monthly NASW meeting at Boston College in June. They told the assembled social workers about the work of MCPCC.

Rev. Thomas, the Protestant chaplain at Billerica, is beginning to plan for Christmas. Each man will be provided with two pair of socks- the Salvation Army will help with that. As we mentioned in the last newsletter, he also want a each man to have two Christmas cards to send out, We will try to help with that. If you have left-over, unused, unsent, Christmas cards with envelopes and would like to donate them to the prison, please contact Beverly (1-781-784-6395) or Marjorie (617-527-5613).

Beverly submitted her annual coordinator's report which was read and accepted. MCPCC's accomplishments for the year included:

· getting a Houses of Healing program started at Billerica;

· arranging for children of Billerica inmates to go to a summer camp specifically for children of prisoners, with financing provided by three of our supporting churches;

· attending meetings and seminars of other groups involved in prison issues-

· bringing Billerica staff members and people from the community to speak to us about Billerica's needs, and to inform us about prison and justice issues; we are especially grateful to Lee Gartenburg, attorney for Billerica's inmates, who keeps us up-to-date about pending legislation.

We continue to collect paperback books and paperback English and Spanish-English dictionaries for the prison, to sponsor an art contest at the prison and to sell note cards made from inmates’ art work. Proceeds help to provide art supplies for the prison. The bedtime story program also continues- this enables incarcerated fathers to read bedtime stories on tape and send the tapes to their children.

Elizabeth's annual treasurer's report was read and approved.

The committee voted to incorporate under the laws of the Commonwealth. The following directors were elected.

President of the Corporation and Chairman: Mary Ann Donaldson

Treasurer: Tom Crowther

Clerk: Marjorie Moerschner

The By-Laws of the Middlesex Prison Coordinating Committee, Inc., including one amendment, were adopted.

NEXT MEETING: SEPTEMBER 10, 2002 AT 7 PM. DR. SPERBER WILL SPEAK,

CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UCC, 218 WALNUT ST., NEWTONVILLE