Remarks of Senate President Karen Spilka at the Grand Opening of the MCI-Framingham Reintegration House

As prepared for delivery

Good morning.

Thank you Superintendent Donlon for your kind introduction and for your leadership here at MCI-Framingham.

I'd also like to thank all the MCI-Framingham staff – I look forward to hearing from you later as we tour this new facility.

Thank you Governor Healey and the entire Healey-Driscoll Administration, including Secretary Kwon, Commissioner Jenkins, and all of our DOC leadership for the work you do for our Commonwealth each day.

I'd also like to acknowledge Mayor Sisitsky and my colleagues from the legislature here today, including Senator Eldridge, Senator Miranda, Senator Edwards, Representative Lewis, Representative Sousa, Representative Donahue, and Representative Gregoire.

There are also several community organizations here today. I'd like to thank you for your advocacy as we work to reform our justice system.

Before I joined the Legislature, I was a social worker who worked daily with members of our community – many of whom had been impacted by contact with the criminal justice system.

I've witnessed the positive change that can happen when we prioritize rehabilitation and resources over penalties and punishment, and when we meet people where they are and provide the support of an entire community.

This background played a large part in my decade-long fight to reform the old CHINS system, which forced kids into the juvenile justice system for minor offenses, such as behavior or attendance problems. This reform included the creation of Family Resource Centers – or FRCs – to instead step in and provide vital community-based resources for children and their families. FRCs provide accessible, confidential support to families in crisis close to home.

They have proven to be extremely successful in connecting families with services such as mental health or substance use treatment, housing aid, and legal help.

FRCs – like this Reintegration House – prove that we can make a positive impact on people's lives when we prioritize community and connection, and I look forward to seeing the impact this house will make in the coming months and years.

Several months ago, I had the opportunity to tour MCI-Framingham and meet with several of the women incarcerated here. I was moved by their stories, and I engaged in understanding the latest updates on the work and educational programs that help prepare them for reentry. I was even gifted an American flag sewn by the women participating in the industrial fabrics program, which I keep in my office.

These women are also responsible for producing every state flag you may see as you visit government buildings across our state.

Today's grand opening marks the start of an additional program that will provide welcoming housing, employment opportunities, and other resources to assist these women in their final transition back to their communities.

Last time I was here, I was able to see some of the progress being made on the restoration of this property, and I'm excited to see the final living spaces.

More importantly, I'm excited for the women who will soon be starting a new chapter in this reintegration house and the positive impact that it will make on their return to our communities.

Thank you again to everyone at DOC, and MCI-Framingham, for making today possible.

###