✱✱The deadline to give verbal testimony has passed.✱✱
Written testimony will be accepted up until August 6 at 5pm. E-mail jamie.howell-walton@mahouse.gov, mary.wasylyk@masenate.gov, and MAMoratorium@gmail.com


A hearing for S.2030 “An Act establishing a jail and prison construction moratorium” is scheduled for Tuesday, July 20th from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm.

This bill would put a 5-year pause on all prison and jail construction, stopping a $20-50 million new women's prison from being built and pausing adding any capacity to any jail or prison. This is a critical time in our history as we choose whether or not to imprison further generations and assess what different responses to harm look like.



NOT SURE WHAT TO SAY?
Testifying at a legislative briefing can be intimidating.

We're holding a testimony prep session where you can learn more about the bill, talk to other people testifying about similar issues, ask questions, write down your testimony, and practice it if you like.
        • Get help writing testimony (Sunday 07/18 at 11:30 am): https://bit.ly/prep-s2030


ABOUT VERBAL TESTIMONY
If you registered with the committee you will receive from the legislature on Monday, July 19, which will contain approximate times people will testify. It can take a very long time but it is *SO* important that we show broad concern for any new prison or jail projects in Massachusetts. Please stick it out if you can, and send your written testimony or even bullet points to the committee.

We recommend you have the hearing window open in the background and provide your cell number to be messaged when our bills come up. You'll wait on Microsoft Teams (not Zoom) for a very long time listening to other people speak about other bills. When it's your turn you will be unmuted or made a participant and will have 2-3 minutes to speak in support of S2030. You don't have to be fancy or profound; it's okay to take 30 seconds to simply say "It's time to end mass incarceration. I support S2030 because __________."
        • Get help writing testimony (Sunday 07/18 at 11:30 am): https://bit.ly/prep-s2030

You can link others to this form: https://bit.ly/S2030-committee We want a huge showing of support for S2030!