MIDDLESEX COUNTY PRISON COORDINATING COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER

MCPCC met on Oct. 11, 2006 in West Newton. Those present were Bill Bergquist, Tom Crowther, Mary Ann Donaldson, Marjorie Moerschner, Lynn Sullivan, Dorothy Weitzman and Elizabeth Woodbridge.

Mary Ann opened the meeting with a prayer. She reported that she had spoken to Beverly Wilkins. Beverly will be present at the prisoner art show in Lowell, where Sheriff DiPaola will honor her with a plaque for her seventeen years as MCPCC’s coordinator. We had wanted to take Beverly and her husband out to dinner afterward, but she said she would prefer that we buy a book or books for the prison library. We feel that a good hardcover dictionary, to be kept in the library as reference only, might be one possibility. Tom will speak to the librarian.

Tom reported that our treasury is in the black at the moment!

The preparations for the art show on Oct 15 are going well. Judy Lustig will help Tom hang the pictures before the show.

Mary Ann then spoke about our rather complicated coordinator situation. The bad news is that Mark Hemenway has resigned as coordinator, feeling that he cannot give enough attention to us because of other and increasing commitments. He would like to maintain a connection with MCPCC though, and he agreed to act as presenter in Bedford on Oct. 8 and to arrange for a speaker at our November meeting, which we appreciate.

Mary Ann then reported the very good news that Carol Winton, who has extensive experience as a substance abuse counselor and supervisor, has accepted the position as MCPCC Coordinator!

Tom, Elizabeth, Marjorie and Mark attended the Lyceum on prisons and justice at the Unitarian Church of Bedford on Oct. 8. Mark spoke about prisoners and rehabilitation and MCPCC members gave an idea of what our group is about. A number of church members were present; good questions and a good discussion followed. The church service featured two women from the Public Voice Project who spoke about their experiences with incarceration.

We thank Joanne Glover for asking MCPCC to visit her church and to take part in the Lyceum! This was a very worthwhile event.

Please remember your surplus holiday cards for inmates to send out to their families. If you need pick-up, call 617-527-5613.

Our speaker at the November meeting will be Susan Rourke, Director of Reintegration at Billerica House of Correction.

NEXT MEETING: NOVEMBER 8, 2006 at 7:00 PM

SECOND CHURCH IN NEWTON 60 HIGHLAND STREET, WEST NEWTON