MIDDLESEX COUNTY PRISON COORDINATING COMMITTEE NEWSLETTER

MCPCC met on Sept. 10, 2008 in West Newton. Those present were Chairperson Mary Ann Donaldson, Tom Crowther, Marjorie Moerschner, Lynne Sullivan and Elizabeth Woodbridge.

Mary Ann opened the meeting with a prayer. She reported that our coordinator Carol. Winton experienced a gall bladder attack yesterday and we are keeping her in our thoughts.

Tom gave the treasurer's report. Though we are dipping into our reserves, we felt that we will wait until next year to have another fund raising event.

Dorothy Weitzman is organizing a Boston College conference on restorative justice as a response to sex abuse and sex abusers.

Elizabeth volunteered to update our mailing list, especially in regard to the churches on our list. This needs to be done regularly.

Bristol County Sheriff Thomas Hodgson has approved a support group for the families of Bristol County prisoners who have substance abuse issues. The support group Learn To Cope, founded by Joanne Peterson, will meet at the prison with family members to educate them on ways to help those inmates stay clean once they are released.

We've had a thank-you note from Susan Rourke, Director of Reintegration Services at Billerica for the contribution we made to help her provide clothing for inmates near release who will be going to job interviews; we've also had one from Mark Hemenway, Director of New England Prison Ministries, who manages the fund and directs a mentoring program which we also supported.

The Criminal Justice Policy Coalition will take place on Oct. 23, 6 to 8 PM at B.U. School of Law, 12th floor Function Room,765 Commonwealth Ave, Boston. Professor Stanley Z. Fisher, Trustee of the New England Innocence Project will speak on "Convicting the Innocent: Causes and Remedies."

It's almost that time again! Christmas cards for prisoners to send to family and/or friends should be collected by mid-November. MCPCC members, please bring your cards to the November meeting. Remember, cards must have envelopes and should contain holiday messages.

Rev. Milton Thomas, the Protestant Chaplain at Billerica, will be our guest at the October meeting.

NEXT MEETING: OCT. 8 at 7 PM, SECOND CHURCH IN NEWTON

60 HIGHLAND STREET, WEST NEWTON