Help Us Document the Harms of Prison Healthcare

For years, people incarcerated in Massachusetts have been telling the #DeeperThanWater Coalition about the horrific healthcare provided in prison. We have mourned friends inside who were killed by this healthcare system, who, despite seeking care for years, weren't treated until their cancer was already an untreatable Stage 4. We've heard from folks who've had untreated heart attacks, tooth infections, slipped disks, glaucoma, violent vomiting, and COVID. We've heard from folks who have had to self-amputate in their cells. And we've heard of the horrific and deadly impact of incarceration on mental health and the complete lack of support offered.

Now, folks inside have asked us to dive in and find out more to help them survive.

Some of our incarcerated organizers developed a survey about people's experiences with the prison healthcare provider, Wellpath. Following their lead, we'll be distributing this survey through the prisons - starting with one, and hopefully growing to more - to gather more information and stories directly from incarcerated people about their experiences and how to change this harmful system. With this information, we hope to be able to respond and take action in a way that is informed by people inside. We are a completely unfunded, community-based, volunteer abolitionist organization. In order to send in the surveys, we'll need funding for printing, envelopes, and stamps both inside and outside.

Please help us raise the funds we need to get this project underway.