MIDDLESEX COUNTY PRISON COORDINATING COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER

MCPCC met on June 14, 2006 in West Newton. Mary Ann Donaldson, Tom Crowther, Dorothy Weitzman, Bill Bergquist, Lynn Sullivan, Marjorie Moerschner and our Coordinator Beverly Wilkins were present. This was our annual meeting, and also Beverly's last meeting as coordinator; as you know, she is retiring.

Her annual report was excellent as always, and her review of the events and accomplishments of the last few years, which is enclosed, was very moving.

Tom gave his treasurer's report. Our financial situation is not robust but we are, as ever, hopeful.

We are very grateful for a timely and generous gift from the Newton United Methodist Church (Lucy Wiesner, Outreach Chair.)

In news from Billerica, Leila Hall has taken over the functions of Linda Justice, now retired, and Sean McAdam is the new Human Services Director. He would like a 4-pronged approach to inmate release: employment, health, addiction treatment,and housing.

Legislative Bill #688, CORI Reform, seems to be stalled in committee. Please call your state rep. and the House speaker to get this important bill moving.

Senator Creem's bill, a budgetary amendment to reform mandatory minimum sentencing as it affects minor drug offenders, has passed the senate by a good margin. This bill allows minor drug offenders to apply for parole after serving 2/3 of the mandatory minimum sentence. They would be released, under supervision, only after passing a tough Parole Board hearing. See the article by Sen. Creem and Sheriff DiPaola on the June 24 Boston Herald op-ed page. Early release of minor offenders would save the state millions of dollars each year. (Did you know that our state now spends more on prisons than on education?)

We extend heartfelt thanks and all good wishes to Beverly. So many of MCPCC's accomplishments in recent years have been due to her energy, persistence and creativity.

After interviews with a number of good candidates, MCPCC has selected a new coordinator, Mark Hemenway, a graduate of West Point and of Andover-Newton. He is already involved in prison ministry through Vision New England. We look forward to working with him!

Many thanks to Mary Ann, our search committee chair, for her good work!

NEXT MEETING: SEPT. 13 at 7 PM

SECOND CHURCH IN NEWTON, 60 HIGHLAND STREET, WEST NEWTON