POLITICO Massachusetts Playbook: Massachusetts makes moves in Missouri

 

By Kelly Garrity Presented by  Massachusetts makes moves in Missouri LENDING A HAND — When voters head to the polls in Missouri today, members of Massachusetts congressional delegation will be watching. Multiple Massachusetts electeds have lent their support to Rep. Cori Bush, as the Missouri Democrat looks to hold her ground against her own AIPAC-backed challenger in today’s primary election. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a fellow Squad member, has used her email list to help fundraise for Bush and hit the trail in St. Louis recently alongside progressive Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez. Monday, she took to social media to remind the district to head to the polls today. Sen. Elizabeth Warren endorsed Bush last month, and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark stopped in Missouri late last week to campaign with her in her district, a crucial show of confidence from party leadership (though it’s worth noting that House Democratic leaders have thrown their support behind incumbents this cycle, regardless of their ideological background). Bush is up against Wesley Bell, a progressive county prosecutor whose campaign has been boosted by $8 million from United Democracy Project, the AIPAC campaign arm. If she loses, it’ll mark the second successful effort from AIPAC to knock out a member of the Squad after Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s loss in New York’s June primary. AIPAC spent more than $14 million on TV ads to unseat Bowman, making the race the most expensive House primary in history — serving as a warning shot to other progressives who have been critical of Israel’s war in Gaza. Though tonight’s results are unlikely to reverberate in Massachusetts’ elections this cycle with little primary competition here, prominent Bay State progressives and leaders playing in the race does help strengthen the state’s alliances in Congress. And for Pressley especially, keeping Bush in Congress and shutting down an AIPAC challenge helps the Squad maintain its influence. “Having more allies in the fight is a good thing for her,” longtime Democratic strategist Doug Rubin told Playbook. GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . There's no date set yet for when state lawmakers could come back for a special formal session — but even with many legislators in Kentucky for a summit this week, Healey isn't letting up the pressure. Healey met with House Speaker Ron Mariano Monday, Jillian Fennimore, a Healey spokesperson, said in a statement Monday, where Mariano "conveyed his continued commitment to working with the Governor to deliver on the important economic development bill needed to drive growth and keep Massachusetts competitive." Healey "looks forward to discussing next steps with the Senate President as well,” Fennimore added. TODAY — Healey signs the Affordable Homes Act in Newton at 10 a.m., and hosts a signing ceremony for wage equity legislation at noon at the State House; Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll attends both. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” at 11 a.m. and joins the Boston Police Department for the second night of National Night Out at 3:10 p.m. Sen. Ed Markey joins the New England Aquarium to release five rehabilitated sea turtles at 5 p.m. Sen. Elizabeth Warren speaks at a student debt clinic hosted by the American Federation of Teachers and the Student Borrower Protection Center at noon in Fall River.   A message from Uber: Massachusetts Uber and Lyft drivers now earn at least $32.50 while working on the app, making them some of the highest paid drivers in the country. This new rate sets a high standard for driver pay across the nation. Learn more about what higher pay means for the state.   DATELINE BEACON HILL  ******STEWARD***** — “Buyer wanted in on Carney, Nashoba: Michigan-based Insight sought deal on all Steward properties,” by Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald: “Following inquiries from the Herald, Atif Bawahab, the Chief Strategy Officer at Michigan-based Insight, confirmed that his company did indeed try to buy all of the now-bankrupt Steward’s Bay State hospitals as a single package, but that their bid was not accepted before Steward announced it would close Carney Hospital in Boston and Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer.” — “Massachusetts collects $2.6B in July, about $18M less than same time last year,” by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: “Massachusetts collected $2.6 billion in tax revenues in July, a haul that was roughly on par with what the state brought in during the same time last year, according to a Department of Revenue report released Monday. The revenue report for the first month of fiscal year 2025 was made public only days after a top budget writer in the state Senate warned collections for July were expected to be ‘very bad.’ July revenues came in about $18 million less, or 0.7% below, what the state collected in July 2023, according to the Department of Revenue. The decreases were seen in withholding, non-withheld income tax, and the ‘all other’ tax category, Department of Revenue Commissioner Geoffrey Snyder said.” — “Budget Veto Impacts Ripple Through Service Sectors,” by Alison Kuznitz, State House News Service (paywall): “Reentry services, job training programs and rest homes could soon feel the impact of Gov. Maura Healey's budget vetoes that were left intact after a chaotic end to formal lawmaking. … Lew Finfer, director of Massachusetts Action for Justice, said Monday he was worried about multiple vetoes, including Healey slashing $2.5 million from the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment grant program, which he said support dozens of reentry programs serving formerly incarcerated individuals. That leaves $7.5 million for the line item, which last fiscal year received $15 million.” — “State to cover after-hours bail, doubles fee,” by Christian M. Wade Eagle Tribune: “Massachusetts taxpayers will pick up the tab for after-hours bail fees under newly approved changes to state law, which double the required bail fee and shifts those costs from arrestees to the state government. The changes, quietly tucked into the fiscal year 2025 budget signed by Gov. Maura Healey last week, do away with the current $40 bail fee paid by defendants when a bail commissioner or magistrate shows up at a police station at night or over the weekends to secure someone’s release on personal recognizance when courthouses are closed.” — “In 2024, Mass. is still minding the wage gap,” by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon. WORTH READING! — “Sheriff pushes new plan to close Ash Street Jail,” by  Arthur Hirsch, The New Bedford Light.   During unprecedented times, POLITICO Pro Analysis gives you the insights you need to focus your policy strategy. Live briefings, policy trackers, and and people intelligence secures your seat at the table. Learn more.     FROM THE HUB — “Boston announces a new climate resilience office,” by Miriam Wasser, WBUR: “Boston is creating a new department to help coordinate its efforts to prepare for climate change. The Office of Climate Resilience will be part of the city's Environment, Energy and Open Space cabinet and focus on protecting residents from challenges like rising sea levels, inland flooding and extreme heat.” — “In Boston, just four of city’s top 100 earners are women. The majority are white men,” by Neena Hagen and Niki Griswold, The Boston Globe.  — “Boston city councilors, mayor trade jabs over police hiring push,” by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: “A measure from two Boston city councilors calling for a public discussion on how to increase police staffing levels ticked off BPD brass, and did not sit well with the mayor, who accused the councilors she often tussles with of playing politics. The hearing order, filed by Councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy for the Wednesday meeting, was met with exasperation from Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Police Department leadership, who pointed to the city’s low crime rate and the success it’s had with bringing staffing levels up in the face of national recruitment challenges that have persisted since the 2020 murder of George Floyd.” — “‘I’m not that exciting’: Boston’s future archbishop evokes humility,” by Danny McDonald, John R. Ellement and Shelley Murphy, The Boston Globe. YAHD SIGNS AND BUMPAH STICKAHS ENDORSEMENT CORNER —  Boston City Councilor Ben Weber endorsed Allison Cartwright in her bid for Suffolk County Supreme Judicial Court clerk Monday — officially giving Cartwright support from the majority of the council, seven members of which are now backing Cartright over their colleague, City Councilor Erin Murphy . — Rep. Stephen Lynch has endorsed state Rep. Bill Driscoll in the race for the open Norfolk, Plymouth and Bristol District state Senate seat, praising Driscoll as a “a forward-thinking and thoughtful leader,” in a statement.   A message from Uber:     MIGRANTS IN MASSACHUSETTS — “Families sleep at Quincy subway station during shelter limitations,” by Sarah Betancourt, GBH News: “A group of ten Haitian families sweated in the heat outside of Wollaston MBTA station on Saturday. A few of the children were running about while the babies and toddlers lay on their parents’ shoulders, often crying. A woman, who is over five months pregnant, sat nearby. They are among the hundreds of people currently homeless while waiting on the state’s emergency assistance shelter waitlist. Even before Massachusetts’ new policy went into effect limiting the amount of time migrants can stay in respite shelters, the difficulty of getting into one meant many people were forced to find other solutions.” DAY IN COURT — “Boston Police strip-searching man in public was ‘unreasonable,’ Massachusetts appeals court rules,” by Rick Sobey, Boston Herald. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES — “Next stop, free bus fares: $30M inserted in new state budget will allow PVTA to waive fees,” by Alexa Lewis, Daily Hampshire Gazette.   SUBSCRIBE TO GLOBAL PLAYBOOK: Don’t miss out on POLITICO’s Global Playbook, our newsletter taking you inside pivotal discussions at the most influential gatherings in the world. Suzanne Lynch delivers the world's elite and influential moments directly to you. Stay in the global loop. SUBSCRIBE NOW .     MEDIA MATTERS — “After backlash, Boston Globe apologizes for headline error about Algerian boxer,” by Adam Reilly, GBH News. FROM THE 413 — “Much of Lenox remains a wireless desert. Can a potential new cell tower at Canyon Ranch plug the signal gaps?” by Clarence Fanto, The Berkshire Eagle.  THE LOCAL ANGLE — “Much of Lenox remains a wireless desert. Can a potential new cell tower at Canyon Ranch plug the signal gaps?” by Clarence Fanto, The Berkshire Eagle.    A message from Uber: Massachusetts Uber and Lyft drivers now receive comprehensive benefits, including health insurance stipends for those working over 15 hours a week, paid sick leave, and occupational accident insurance. These protections ensure drivers have the support they need while maintaining their independence and mark a significant improvement in drivers’ quality of life. See how these benefits are changing gig work.   HEARD ‘ROUND THE BUBBLAH TRANSITIONS — Brian O’Connor has joined Benchmark Strategies as assistant vice president of public affairs. He previously served on the policy and research team at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. — Anthony Gesualdi has joined the New England Aquarium as associate vice president of conservation policy. He previously served as the government relations director for Delta Dental of Massachusetts and chief of staff to state Sen. Joseph Boncore. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to Maeve Duggan of MassINC; Rick Mikulis and former Amherst town councilor Evan Ross. Want to make an impact? POLITICO Massachusetts has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Bay State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness among this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com .   Follow us on Twitter Kelly Garrity @KellyGarrity3   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our politics and policy newsletters Follow us

POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA

 

New Bedford's Ash Street Jail records chronicle 100 years of criminal history. Now what.

Frank Mulligan

Standard-Times

Published Feb 14, 2023

NEW BEDFORD — Jail records dating back more than 100 years, including charge lists and glass plate negatives of inmate photos, are currently collecting dust in the Ash Street Jail's attic.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is working with the Bristol County Sheriff's Office to take possession of these vintage items and make them a collection unto themselves, providing insights into Bristol County's criminal history over multiple past generations.

The Ash Street Jail opened in 1888, and there are plans currently being considered to close the building within the next several years and relocate the jail to the House of Correction's main campus in Dartmouth.

Museum officials responded to a BCSO invitation to take stock of the items on Feb. 1.

Amanda McMullen, Whaling Museum CEO, said, "These highly sensitive objects are a significant regional treasure, and deserve long-term preservation and care."

Country's oldest jail:Proposal to close New Bedford's Ash Street Jail now includes two options

What do the archives at the country's oldest jail look like?

Making the trip over to Ash Street were Robert Rocha Jr., associate curator of science and research; D. Jordan Berson, director of collections; Marina Wells, photography collection curatorial fellow, and Naomi Slipp, chief curator.

Slipp said they were grateful for the invitation to view the historic collection of charge cards and glass plate and celluloid negatives, "all dating from circa 1900-1960."

She added, "Initial assessments mark this as a valuable research collection for scholars interested in the criminal history of the county over an approximate 60-year period."

How he got caught:Suspect in Whaling Museum's $75,000 artifact theft 'seemed likable'.

Slipp said, "Such artifacts vividly document the social history of the county and patterns of criminalization over time."

Due to the sensitive nature of the collection, however, if it were transferred to the Museum it would likely be maintained as a closed research collection with certain restrictions around usage, circulation, and replication.Slipp added Museum officials look forward to continued talks with the Bristol County Sheriff's Office, which are in the early stages.

Local history:The Whaling Museum asked people to share family stories. The results were surprising.

Failing to report to work was a crime

Jonathan Darling, Bristol County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, said, "I saw intake photos for people whose crimes were failing to report to work and adultery. Way back in the day."

Unfortunately," he said, these records are currently just collecting dust in the attic without any measures being taken to preserve them.

"It gets pretty hot up there in the attic in the summertime. And it gets plenty cold in the wintertime," he said.

The Whaling Museum would be able to preserve these items for further research and study, he said. "That's what they do. They have a great reputation for preserving history. We're just happy it's the Whaling Museum."

He added that talks were proceeding well, and he believed an agreement would be made official within a matter of time. 

LINK

 

Unable to respond: Adam Howe's death raises questions about prisoner, mental health facilities

Rasheek Tabassum Mujib

Cape Cod Times

Published Oct. 11, 2022 

The death of Truro resident Adam Howe in a New Bedford jail cell as he faced a charge of murder raises questions about the safety net for individuals in the criminal justice system who have psychiatric needs — and what county officials could have done differently.

Howe, 34, was arrested in Truro after emergency workers responded to his mother's home around 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 30, according to the Cape and Islands District Attorney. The rescuers had been called to the property because of a request for a well-being check and a report of a fire. 

At the property, the rescuers found Howe outside the house and something on fire on the lawn, which they determined was a human body. Howe was arrested and charged with murder. Evidence suggested the body was that of his 69-year-old mother, Susan Howe.

After his arrest, Adam Howe had difficulty breathing and was brought to Cape Cod Hospital, arriving around 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 1. He was examined and then shackled to a gurney and watched by hospital personnel "with eyes on him at all times," according to a statement from  Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe in a statement.

After his release from the hospital, he was brought to Ash Street Jail in New Bedford, part of the Bristol County Jail and House of Correction system. Howe was found dead in his cell at 5:14 p.m. Oct. 2. In between officer rounds at the jail, Howe had clogged his airways with wet toilet paper and "suffered a medical emergency," a spokesperson for the Bristol County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

The cause of Adam Howe's death is under investigation. 

"There are big questions here, as to how the circumstances unfolded, and we need answers," state Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, said. "This is a very tragic incident, and as a geographically isolated community, here at the Cape, we need to make sure that we can respond to all sorts of situations."

"It is clear that we were unable to respond this time," Cyr said.

On-call judge issues an order citing Section 12

Doctors at Cape Cod Hospital wanted Howe discharged as soon as a secure facility was identified to take him, according to O'Keefe.

After multiple efforts to locate an on-call judge, O'Keefe reached a judge at about 3 a.m. "I called at least four judges, and I finally got one who answered the phone," O'Keefe said in a phone interview. 

The judge listened to O'Keefe and the doctor in charge of the Cape Cod Hospital Emergency Room, and ordered Howe to be involuntarily committed to Bridgewater State Hospital, a medium-security facility that provides psychiatric services operated by the state Department of Correction. 

The order was issued citing Section 12, which relates to civil commitments, rather than Section 15, which allows defendants in criminal cases to be hospitalized at Bridgewater — for observation and evaluation — for up to 20 days.

A third option, or Section 18, covers those already detained in a correctional facility and in need of hospitalization for up to six months.

More:Body found on fire outside Truro home, and suspect arrested. What we know

"Only a jail superintendent can have someone committed under Section 18," O'Keefe said. "Since we were at a hospital, a doctor was able to provide the judge all of the criteria necessary for Section 12."

Under the circumstances, it was enough for the judge to issue a Section 12, which could have been changed into Section 15 after an arraignment or Section 18 after Howe was placed in jail, O'Keefe said. 

"We transferred him to a jail so that a jail superintendent could move to have him committed (to Bridgewater) under Section 18," he said.

Bridgewater State Hospital refuses to take Howe

To place Howe in a jail or a secure psychiatric facility, O'Keefe briefed Bridgewater officials about the judge's order. But Bridgewater officials "refused to take Mr. Howe, saying they didn't take Section 12 commitments" and could only admit someone committed under Section 18, according to O'Keefe.

The Bridgewater facility provides clinical services by Wellpath LLC, a Tennessee-based company under contract with the state. 

"We kept asking if they can just take him so he can get the mental health services he needs," O'Keefe said. "They needed just to take him for three days, and then he could have been arraigned to court so that we could file for Section 15."

A frustrated O'Keefe said, "they just wouldn't take him." 

Cyr, who is co-chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, shared O'Keefe's dismay. 

"We have a fine facility like Bridgewater State Hospital in Massachusetts, a secure psychiatric facility to essentially deal with very disturbed individuals involved in the criminal justice system," Cyr said. "The fact that they would rely on a technicality instead of finding a solution speaks to several issues that we have persistently seen at Bridgewater State Hospital." 

Howe gets placed at Ash Street Jail in Bristol County

State police contacted several jails, including Barnstable County, but could not obtain admittance for Howe into any of them. Finally, Bristol County Sheriff's Department agreed to take him and place him in Ash Street Jail. 

Both Howe's discharge summary from the hospital and the police report indicated "suicide ideation," according to O'Keefe's written account. 

At the jail, Howe was placed on a security watch where a corrections officer "would visually check on him every 15 minutes." He was also clothed in a nylon rip-resistant smock, according to the Bristol County Sheriff's Office.

More:Barnstable County Sheriff's race: Buckley and Whelan face off in November general election

The observation level taken by the Bristol County Sheriff's Office at Ash Street on Howe was inadequate, said James Pingeon, litigation director for the prisoner advocacy group Prisoners' Legal Services of Massachusetts. 

"They put him on a 15-minute watch instead of a constant observation; this was clearly a judgment call they made, and it was obviously the wrong judgment call," Pingeon said. 

But Bristol County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Jonathan Darling said otherwise.

Howe was "cleared by medical professionals and in terms of protocol, he was not 'required to be on a watch,'" Darling said

More:Suicide following May shooting death of 20-year-old Falmouth woman now under investigation

More:Exclusive: Three people die in 8 weeks at Barnstable County jail. Here's what we know

"Due to the intensity of the charge he was facing, as it was a high profile case, our staff went out of their way to keep an eye on him," Darling said over the phone. "We didn't need to take any precautions at all, and yet we went above and beyond to place him on a 15-minutes watch."

In similar cases, Bristol County sends people to Bridgewater under Section 18 to get the inmate the proper mental health care services. In Howe's case, he should have been admitted to Bridgewater immediately after he got placed in the Ash Street jail, a delay which eventually cost him his life, Pingeon said. 

Barnstable County Sheriff's Department's late response 

The most logical choice for Howe, after Bridgewater refused to take him, would have been in jail under the Barnstable County Sheriff's department. 

O'Keefe said they tried getting him into jail in Barnstable but "were unable to do so."

"I'm not sure if the state police got through to them, but we were all trying, and I didn't get an answer until 7:30 in the morning when we already found a jail that would take him," O'Keefe said. 

Barnstable Sheriff James M. Cummings said over the phone he doesn't know why there was no response from the jail.

"I don't know what number they were calling, but there is always somebody at the correctional facility," he said. "Later, my superintendent spoke to somebody from the state police about six o'clock in the morning." 

According to Cyr, who was briefed by the state police, the police did make contact with Barnstable, and they declined to take Howe, citing limited staffing. 

Cummings noted that even if Barnstable did respond, his jail no longer operates a regional lockup facility, unlike Bristol County.

If they did, they wouldn't take somebody sick or suicidal because that causes "limited staffing issues," he said.

Barnstable operated the regional lockup facility before the COVID-19 pandemic. But since the sheriff's office moved into a new facility, they no longer provide the regional service, said Cummings who is not running for reelection after 24 years on the job. 

"We've been trying for years to get the regional lockup running again," he said, "but we are unable to get the legislature officials to come up with the necessary funding."  

Cyr said he never heard from the sheriff's office about the budgetary constraints.

"There has been a long-standing dispute between the Legislature and the sheriff about resources and money," Cyr said, "but to my knowledge, there has been no conversation about this problem."

"It's alarming that the sheriff's office did not convey to us that they have these resources constrained," he said. "After such a tragic incident, I have questions about why this 24-hour state facility failed to serve our community." 

If you need help

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a certified listener, call 988.

Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.