MIDDLESEX COUNTY PRISON COORDINATING COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER

MCPCC met on October 1, 2002 in Newtonville. Beverly Wilkins,

Tom Crowther, Dorothy Weitzman and Marjorie Moerschner were

present.

Beverly reported that Dr Sperber has suggested that she speak to

one of his inmate groups at Billerica.

She is getting our speaker schedule for the coming months set

up. We expect to change our day of meeting to a Wednesday.

Dorothy said that the National Alliance for the Mentally ill has

a questionnaire about standards for prison mental health staffs to

fill out.

Tom reported that he was able to obtain 12 Cambodian and 6

Portuguese Bibles for the prison through the internet.

His Bedford church group has received clearance to conduct Bible

study and worship at the prison. This will take place on the

second Sunday of each month, 6:10 to 7:15 PM, in the dorm. There

is a demand from the inmates for this kind of service. The dorm

houses about 75 men.

Work release men are housed in what used to be the Sheriff's

house. There are currently about 40 men there.

We discussed the possibility of having a forum on prison issues

in the spring, and where to have it. We have had forums at the

prison in the past, but CORI clearance, permitting individuals to

visit the prison, now takes about two months.

Mike Myers of the City Mission Society, and Rev. David Grishaw-

Jones (both of whom have been MCPCC guest speakers) have created

a Greater Boston Prison Reentry Resources Directory. It costs

$20. and we will make sure that the prison has at least one copy.

The Human Kindness Foundation sends tapes, books, newsletters,

etc., to prisoners all over the country. The Foundation reminds

us that the vast majority of prisoners get released back into the

community someday, and through its Kindness Network, it would

like to set up a system to provide newly released prisoners with

practical help. It is looking for individuals and faith

organizations to get involved. If interested, write to The

Foundation at PO Box 61619 Durham N.C. 27715.

Tom reviewed the provisions of MCPCC's proposed incorporation as

a non-profit entity. There will be three classes of membership:

churches, individual members and honorary members.

NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12 at 7 PM

CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UCC 276 WALNUT ST., NEWTONVILLE