Library of Publications

Testimony dated June 28, 2021 in support of an act to ensure the constitutional rights and human dignity of prisoners on mental health watch.

June 25, 2021

MAMH

A November, 2020 report by the U.S. Department of Justice identified constitutional violations and serious concerns regarding the treatment of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis in Massachusetts prisons.

Suicide Prevention in Prisons: Ensuring Dignity and Constitutional Rights of Prisoners on Mental Health Watch

June 24, 2021

MAMH

This Fact Sheet provides an overview of MA legislation to rectify serious safety and constitutional concerns identified by the U.S. Department of Justice after an investigation of the MA Department of Correction’s suicide prevention and response practices.

Behavioral Health Crisis and Diversion from the Criminal Justice System: A Model for Effective Community Response

June 16, 2021

Bren Manaugh

Involvement in the criminal justice system compounds the challenges faced by people with behavioral health issues, interrupting access to benefits, treatment relationships and routines and other sources of support and stability, and making them vulnerable to trauma.

Testimony Regarding Penalties for Assault on Certain First Responders

June 15, 2021

Danna Mauch

Testimony dated June 15, 2021 in opposition to H.1888/S.926, which would increase criminal penalties for assaults on certain first responders.

Criminal Legal System Diversion: Creating a Behavioral Health Emergency Response System

May 13, 2021

MAMH

We know that the involvement of police can escalate a behavioral health crisis, causing fear or triggering trauma reactions. Yet individuals experiencing a crisis and their families often find themselves with nowhere to turn but 911.

Fact Sheet: Restoration Center, Creating a behavioral health crisis and urgent care center

April 21, 2021

MAMH

This brief document outlines details on creating a behavioral health crisis and urgent care center, and the corresponding line items/sections of the 2022 budget that would fund this center.

Middlesex County Restoration Center Commission Year Three Findings and Recommendations

April 13, 2021

Middlesex County Restoration Center Commission

This Year Three report of the Middlesex County Restoration Center Commission provides a plan for accomplishing the task of piloting a Restoration Center in Middlesex County and legislative recommendations for Year Four of the Commission.

MAMH FY22 Budget Priorities

April 12, 2021

MAMH

MAMH's FY22 budget priorities.

Testimony regarding Behavioral Health Care in Correctional Settings

March 9, 2021

Danna Mauch

People with behavioral health conditions are disproportionately represented in Massachusetts jails and prisons. This March 5, 2021 letter to the Corrections Funding Commission highlights MAMH priorities for mental health services in corrections.

The Ruderman White Paper on Law Enforcement Use of Force and Disability

November 2, 2020

Ruderman Family Foundation

Disabled individuals make up a third to half of all people killed by law enforcement officers and most of those killed in use-of-force cases that attract widespread attention.

Just and Well: Rethinking How States Approach Competency to Stand Trial

October 29, 2020

Council on State Governments

This report focuses on how to improve outcomes for individuals with behavioral health disorders who enter the justice system but are found not competent to stand trial.

Letter in Support of H.4531, An Act ensuring access to addiction services

June 19, 2020

Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts

Letter dated June 18, 2020 to Joint Committee on Health Care Financing urging adoption of H.4531, which would end the incarceration of patients civilly committed for substance use treatment under Section 35.