Tell the Massachusetts D.O.C. Commissioner,
NO MALES IN FEMALE JAILS!
Massachusetts is one of the many states that allows male prisoners to be housed with female inmates. This has caused a myriad of issues for the female inmates.On the "Keep Prisons Single Sex" website, Womyn in prisons recount the most horrifying tales of harassment, assault, bullying, rape and abuse they've experienced at the hands of these male prisoners, while serving their time.Housing male and female inmates together is recognized as a human rights violation by the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders with their Commentary. Womyn in prison are placed there for the purposes of rehabilitation and self-improvement, not to be tortured and humiliated.We have an opportunity to tell the Department of Corrections Commissioner of Massachusetts to STOP ALLOWING MALES IN FEMALE JAILS! The Massachusetts government is appointing a new Commissioner for the Department of Corrections. They're now opening the line for feedback for what citizens want to see in the new appointed official.You can contact them here ([email protected]), but keep the following in mind:• Emphasize that unisex imprisonment is a human rights violation: Unisex imprisonment, where individuals of different genders are housed together, raises significant human rights concerns. This practice can lead to heightened risks of sexual assault, harassment, and other forms of violence. International human rights frameworks, including the United Nations' Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), underscore the need for the separation of inmates by gender to protect their safety and dignity. Ensuring gender-specific facilities helps in upholding the fundamental human rights of prisoners, particularly the right to live free from violence and degrading treatment.• Highlight the vulnerability of Womyn in state and federal custody: Women in custody are often more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation compared to their male counterparts. Many female inmates have histories of trauma, including domestic violence and sexual abuse, which can be exacerbated by a prison environment that fails to protect their specific needs. Reports indicate that women in state and federal prisons are frequently subjected to sexual misconduct by male staff, as well as insufficient healthcare, including reproductive health services. This vulnerability necessitates targeted measures to ensure their protection and wellbeing.• Stress the importance of female dignity, privacy and safety: The dignity, privacy, and safety of female inmates are critical components of humane treatment in prison settings. Women have distinct healthcare needs, including those related to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, which require privacy and specialized medical care. Ensuring a secure environment where women can maintain their dignity and privacy is essential for their mental and physical health. Overcrowded and inadequately supervised facilities often compromise these basic needs, leading to a range of negative outcomes for female inmates.• Explain that Womyn sentenced to jail time, are there for the purposes of rehabilitation. Cruel and unusual punishment impedes that: The primary goal of incarceration should be rehabilitation, not retribution. Women sentenced to jail time are often there due to circumstances intertwined with socio-economic factors, mental health issues, and histories of abuse. Rehabilitation programs that address these underlying issues can help reduce recidivism and support successful reintegration into society. Subjecting women to cruel and unusual punishment, including physical abuse, sexual violence, and inadequate healthcare, undermines the rehabilitative purpose of incarceration and violates constitutional protections against such treatment.• Express that there is no benefit to allowing males in female spaces: Allowing males in female prison spaces can create a hostile and unsafe environment for women inmates. The presence of male inmates or staff in areas designated for women can lead to increased incidents of sexual harassment and assault. It can also exacerbate feelings of vulnerability and fear among female prisoners, hindering their ability to participate in rehabilitation programs and maintain their mental health. Ensuring that prison spaces are gender-segregated respects the privacy and safety of female inmates, fostering a more supportive environment conducive to their rehabilitation and wellbeing.By addressing these points, it becomes clear that protecting the rights and wellbeing of female prisoners is essential for a just and effective correctional system. This protection aligns with broader human rights principles and supports the ultimate goal of rehabilitation over punishment.