MCPCC Annual Coordinator’s Report

June 2006

 

I.                    The Past

 

This will be my last report.  As I write I am flooded with memories about the path we have walked together.  I recall the following:

·        The kind, efficient Human Services Director, Jim Cain

·        The successful rehabilitation of ex offender Murdock Mac Donald

·        Billerica teacher Bob Saltzman having inmates perform a Shakespeare play

·        Chaplain Bud Wood baptizing inmates in bathtubs outdoors at Billerica

·        A service for the dedication of the chapel at Billerica

·        Sending Billerica teacher Bernadette to an AIDS conference,

·        The childrens’ book cart which we supplied

·        The closing of McGrath House, a half way house in Boston

·        Sheriff Bailey spilling cranberry juice on the rug

·        Charlie Reynolds, MCPCC president, interviewing me for this position in 1989 by doing a home visit

·        Staff Attorney for inmates, Lee Gartenberg’s informative and inspiring talks

·        The two successful open forums by Sheriff DiPaola hosted by The First Church of Christ, UCC of Bedford

·        Our joy at finding a skilled pair of volunteers to start Emotional Awareness classes at Billerica and their success

·        The compelling stories of the jail experiences of former inmates from the CMS Voices of Justice

·        Testifying at the lawsuit to reduce overcrowding

·        Margot Lindsey’s wise counsel to me

·        Joanne Glover sharing her affecting story

·        Psychiatrist Dr. Mike Sperber’s love for the inmates he treated using the story of St. Francis,

·        Trying unsuccessfully to pick out embroidered logos from donated jackets

·         My country-wide search to find Cambodian language books for the prison library only to find them right here in Lowell

·        Operation Overcoat agreeing to donate coats to Billerica and the staff member sharing with me that her father had been in prison

·        The joy and disbelief when inmates and their wives were told their children would be going to summer camp free due to MCPCC’s efforts

·        The unsuccessful inmate/citizen correspondence program due mainly to the shortness of sentences but the amazing response of citizens who volunteered

·        Bruce Soulé , former MCPCC President  (I still miss him)

·        Dr. Seth Asaré and David Grishaw Jones’ commitment to leading Bible Study at the Cambridge Jail

·        The Open House for citizens at Billerica

·        Lynda Justice coordinating the art and writing contests and the taping program for inmates to tape bedtime stories for their children

·        The powerful work elicited from the art and writing contests 

 

There are so many wonderful memories and my thanks to you for your support, guidance, and direction.

 

II.                The Future

 

The new Coordinator will have new ideas, but as the coordinator is getting acclimated, these ideas may make the transition smooth.

           

1.  Meeting with Human Services Director, Deputy Supt. Sean Mc Adam

I have not met with or written to Sean  because I felt it would be a great starting point for the new coordinator.  There are several pressing issues:

 

A.     Have the dates been cleared for the Prisoner Art Exhibit?

B.     Carol Peters need for adequate space and ability to give two days a week to Billerica if recognized appropriately

C.     Who is the replacement for Lynda Justice?  Will that person coordinate the art and writing contests and restart the taping program?

D.     Who will coordinate the volunteers and schedule at least once monthly meetings with them?

 

             2.  Art Exhibit

A.     Letters should be sent to civic and religious leaders.

B.     The Sheriff’s Office should be contacted for publicity and coordination.

C.     Flyers need to be made.

D.     The Lowell Sun needs to be contacted.

 

3. Adopt-a-Book

Invite the Librarian to speak and to bring a list of 10 – 20 books that are wanted.  Perhaps we could find people to sponsor the purchase of these books or dictionaries.

 

4.      Meeting with Sheriff

re space useage at the new facility (chapel, promised childrens’ program for children who are visiting) and other relevant issues

 

5.      Andover  Newton:

How could we get Andover Newton students to volunteer to lead religious services at the Cambridge Jail?

 

6.      Fund Raiser 

I suggest Vox One (Yomiko Matsuoko Young’s group), former member of Central Church and now a member of Newton Highlands Church.  Get a church to donate space, sell tickets and make money for MCPCC.  They are a great group and have their own following.

                       

7.      Letters about new coordinator

MCPCC will need to send letters to the Sheriff and the Superintendents at Billerica and Cambridge.  New stationery, membership cards, and certificates will also be needed.

 

            The path ahead beckons.  The skies will often be sun filled because the journey and destination are right and just.  I close my part of the journey with gratitude that I was able to participate and thanks to all of you and many others who have made this journey so fulfilling by occasionally loaning me their walking sticks and always lending me a helping hand.

 

Peace, Mercy, Justice. & Love, 

Beverly Wilkins