MIDDLESEX COUNTY PRISON COORDINATING COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER

MCPCC met on March 12, 2003 in West Newton. Mary Ann Donaldson, Beverly Wilkins, Tom Crowther, Dorothy Weitzman and Marjorie Moerschner were present.

Mary Ann Donaldson opened the meeting with a prayer for peace.

Beverly reported that the Cambodian books have gone to the prison library, and John Regan is delighted to have them. Ground will soon be broken for a new building which will include library

space.

Tom reported that MCPCC has received generous donations from the

First Church of Christ, Congregational, in Bedford,

and from

The United Methodist Church, Newtonville.

Also, Second Church, UCC., West Newton has given $800. to

the campership program to enable a Billerica prisoner's child to attend summer camp.

Many thanks to these churches!

The United Methodist Outreach Committee wants to possibly get involved with Bible study at Billerica. Tom and Beverly will meet with them after church on Palm Sunday.

Tom sent a letter of thanks to Attorney David Fitch who, on a pro bono basis, guided us through the process of obtaining MA non-profit status. Mr. Fitch advised Tom that we should also get

Federal approval to cover all contingencies.

Social security will now have to be withheld from our coordinator's much-too-small salary. It was voted to raise the coordinator's salary by 15% so there will be no decrease in her take home pay.

It was also voted to continue our membership in the Criminal Justice Policy Coalition.

We discussed plans for a forum in November at which Sheriff DiPaola would speak. We would like to ensure an attendance of at least 50 people. A format for the meeting and possible venues were discussed.

Governor Romney's proposed new budget would eliminate MA Legal Services which provides legal aid to prisoners.

We have invited George Gallitano, Deputy Director of Health Services at Billerica, to be our guest in June.

NEXT MEETING: APRIL 9 at 7 PM

SECOND CHURCH, UCC, 60 HIGHLAND STREET, WEST NEWTON