Survival News est. 1986 Survivors, Inc.
                  ...the voices of low-income women

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A New Women’s Jail in Chicopee? Not in My any Back Yard! why Not? Money: A new jail in Chicopee will cost taxpayers $27 million to build and $12 million to operate each year. In general, it costs an average of $65,000 to arrest, prosecute and incarcerate on woman - per year. Mothers and their children: 85% of the incarcerated women in the Ludlow jail are mothers who have an average of 3 children under 12 years of age. Often these children are taken and put into foster care which costs taxpayers $25,000 per child/per year, and undermines the well-being of families and communities. Financial and social costs would be greatly reduced by supporting women and their children in their communities prior to crises of poverty. Substance abuse: 90% of women in the Ludlow jail are drug addicted; 80% of the women are in jail due to an offense related to underly- ing and untreated addiction; drug treatment is 15 times more effective at reducing serious crime, and at a fraaction of the cost of incarceration; 60% of the detox beds have been cut in Massachusetts over the past 3 years. Dept of Correction vs. Dept of Ed: In 2004, the Massachusetts DoC budget surpassed the Massachusetts higher education budget: $830 million for DoC vs. $816 million for DoE. Meanwhile, local cities and towns have been forced to slash budgets for secondary education. Environmental Impact: George Atwater willed the marshy, forested area known as "Indian Lookout" to the inhabitants of Chicopee and Springfield to be left in perpetuity. He intended the land to remain protected, undeveloped and reserved for public space. However, over the years the government has circumvented the deed and not ALL that remains has been set aside for the construction of the new women’s jail. WE DEMAND: QUALITY SCHOOLS--not jails. HOUSING--not jails. JOBS--not jails. HEALTHCARE--not jails. MONEY FOR DRUG TREATMENT--not jails. A LIVING WAGE--not jails. AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION--not jails. AND END TO C.O.R.I.--not jails! Survivors, Inc., (617) 298-7311 Last Modified 5/2007 info..at..cqs.com This Internet site provides links or references to other sites that are provided as a convenience to users of this site. We have no control over the content of such other sites and shall not be liable for any damages or injury arising from that content. Survivors, Inc. 95 Standard St. Mattapan, MA 02126 Copyright © 2004-2007 Survivors, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Grassroots logo by Claire Cummings