2024-02-23T08:02:27-06:00 2023-06-30 043138777 PKF JND PC 400 CROWN COLONY DRIVE SUITE 102 QUINCY MA 02169 990 2022-07-01 042523362 MASSACHUSETTS CORRECTIONAL LEGAL SERVICES INC DBA PRISONERS' LEGAL SVCS MASS 6174822773 50 FEDERAL STREET 4TH FL BOSTON MA 02110 CHERYL ZOLL INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 6174822773 2024-02-20 1 CHERYL ZOLL 999009999 0 AMANDA WOLFE P01289269 6174220007 2024-02-20 3 AAL1 IAL1 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z CHERYL ZOLL 50 FEDERAL STREET 4TH FL BOSTON MA 02110 4062433 0 X WWW.PLSMA.ORG X 1973 MA SEE SCHEDULE O 16 16 31 108 0 0 3460002 3955294 188610 37557 6900 33932 27983 16079 3683495 4042862 0 0 0 0 2726068 3137412 0 0 273495 738772 905067 3464840 4042479 218655 383 2814956 3436421 922014 1543096 1892942 1893325 X PLS' MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF INCARCERATED PERSONS AND END HARMFUL CONFINEMENT. 0 0 3279901 37557 IN JUNE OF 2023, PLS FILED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT (DOES 1-3 V. PAROLE BOARD) AGAINST THE PAROLE BOARD FOR DISCRIMINATING AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS OR INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE PAROLE PROCESS. THE CASE SEEKS TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO PROVIDE A HOST OF ACCOMMODATIONS INCLUDING, WHERE APPROPRIATE, A PROFESSIONAL EVALUATION OF HOW THE DISABILITY MAY INFLUENCE THE PERSON'S BEHAVIOR, AND ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING COMMUNITY SUPPORTS AND SERVICES THAT MIGHT ALLOW THEM TO LIVE SUCCESSFULLY IN THE COMMUNITY. IN JUNE OF 2023, THE COURT APPROVED A SETTLEMENT IN BATTLE V. SHERIFF, BRISTOL COUNTY THAT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, REQUIRES REFORMS TO PREVENT THE PLACEMENT OF PRISONERS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT; POLICIES TO TAKE MENTAL ILLNESS INTO ACCOUNT IN THE DISCIPLINARY PROCESS; AND IMPROVEMENTS IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE. THE SETTLEMENT ALSO CALLS FOR APPOINTMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT SETTLEMENT MONITOR TO MONITOR COMPLIANCE. PLS CONTINUED THE LITIGATION OF CHEEKS V PAROLE BOARD, A SUIT BROUGHT BY TEN INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD BEEN SUCCESSFULLY ON PAROLE FOR MANY YEARS CHALLENGING THE BOARD'S FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT THE LAW ALLOWING IT TO TERMINATE PAROLE SUPERVISION. IN RESPONSE TO THE SUIT, THE BOARD ISSUED REGULATIONS IN DECEMBER OF 2022 THAT SET UP A PROCESS FOR PEOPLE TO APPLY FOR EARLY TERMINATION AND ESTABLISHED CRITERIA FOR THE BOARD TO USE IN MAKING TERMINATION DECISIONS. THE COURT STAYED THE LITIGATION TO ALLOW THE BOARD TIME TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW REGULATIONS. PLS BROUGHT THE LITIGATION IN MINICH V. SPENCER TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION. MINICH WAS A CLASS ACTION FOR DAMAGES THAT CHALLENGED THE EXCESSIVE AND ABUSIVE USE OF SECLUSION AND RESTRAINT AT BRIDGEWATER STATE HOSPITAL. WE SETTLED THE CASE FOR $1.5 MILLION DOLLARS AND HAVE NOW DISTRIBUTED THE SETTLEMENT AWARDS, RANGING FROM $3,000 TO $80,000 TO EACH CLASS MEMBER. PLS CONTINUED ITS LITIGATION IN DOES 1-10 V. COMMISSIONER ON BEHALF OF MEN WHO HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED OR CHARGED WITH ANY CRIME BUT WHO HAVE BEEN CIVILLY COMMITTED TO A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY SOLELY BECAUSE THEY NEED INPATIENT TREATMENT FOR AN ALCOHOL OR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. THE COURT REJECTED THE CONTENTION THAT SECTION 35 IS FACIALLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL, BUT ONLY BECAUSE IT RULED THE STATUTE WOULD BE CONSTITUTIONAL IF THE STATE CREATED A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF COMMUNITY TREATMENT BEDS TO MAKE INCARCERATION UNNECESSARY. PLS CONTINUED ITS CLASS ACTION LITIGATION IN FOSTER V. COMMISSIONER BY FILING A MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ASKING THE COURT TO ORDER DOC TO COMPLY WITH A RECENT LAW, WHICH WAS ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OVER THE GOVERNOR'S VETO, THAT REQUIRES DOC TO USE VARIOUS RELEASE MECHANISMS TO REDUCE THE PRISON POPULATION, CONSISTENT WITH PUBLIC SAFETY. PLS SETTLED A CASE (CONVERSE V. DOC) FOR SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGES BROUGHT BY A MAN WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS AND COGNITIVE DISABILITIES WHO SUFFERED PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL INJURY AS A RESULT OF AN ASSAULT BY CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WHILE HE WAS ON A MENTAL HEALTH WATCH. PLS ALSO HAS ONGOING LITIGATION CHALLENGING DOC'S TREATMENT OF PRISONERS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING, IMPLEMENTATION OF MEDICAL PAROLE, RESTRICTIVE VISITING POLICIES, WIDESPREAD USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE, PARTICULARLY FORCE THAT TARGETS BLACK AND LATINX INDIVIDUALS, AS WELL AS CASES AGAINST THE COUNTY JAILS. A NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGAN IN JANUARY 2023 AND RUNS THROUGH JULY 2024. WE WORKED WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, CLIENTS, AND LEGISLATORS TO FILE A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT BILLS THAT WOULD IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR INCARCERATED PEOPLE, INCLUDING BILLS TO (1) CREATE AN OVERSIGHT OFFICE FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING STRUCTURAL RACISM IN THE PRISON SYSTEM (2) ESTABLISH FREE TELEPHONE AND EMAIL COMMUNICATION FOR INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES (3) CREATE BASELINE HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS THAT WOULD END SOLITARY CONFINEMENT AND CREATE UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO PROGRAMMING AND EDUCATION (4) INCREASE ACCESS TO MEDICAL PAROLE (5) END INCARCERATED SOLELY FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER (6) REFORM THE PAROLE SYSTEM (7) END LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE AND OTHER EXTREME SENTENCES (8) INCREASE MEDIA ACCESS AND RECORDS ACCESS (9) ESTABLISH A FIVE YEAR MORATORIUM ON PRISON AND JAIL CONSTRUCTION (10) END ICE DETENTION (11) INCREASE ACCESS TO VISITATION.FREE PHONE CALLS PASSED THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AT THE END OF THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION BUT WERE VETOED BY THE GOVERNOR. THIS SESSION WE SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR INCLUSION IN THE FY 2024 BUDGET. 3279901 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 25 0 31 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 MA X X CHERYL ZOLL 6174822773 50 FEDERAL ST 4TH FLOOR BOSTON MA 02110 PATRICIA GARIN ESQ PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JAMES ROLLINS VICE PRESIDENT 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH A DAVIS MD SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JOEL THOMPSON TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 ROBERT SABLE ESQ TREASURER THRU. 5/23 1.00 X X 0 0 0 JOSE BOU DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DOUGLAS BROOKS ESQ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 STEVEN BROWN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 RAYMOND CHAMPAGNE DIRECTOR THRU 4/23 1.00 X 0 0 0 CELESTINO COLON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TARA DUNN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TONY GASKINS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MAC HUDSON DIRECTOR THRU 4/23 1.00 X 0 0 0 MONIK C JIMENEZ DIRECTOR EFF. 4/23 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOAN JOHNSTON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SANDY LIN DIRECTOR EFF. 4/23 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELLEN LUBELL DIRECTOR EFF. 4/23 1.00 X 0 0 0 MALA RAFIK ESQ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ZENO WILLIAMS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH MATOS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 35.00 X 143500 0 11512 JAMES PINGEON ATTORNEY 35.00 X 137600 0 7878 LAUREN PETIT ATTORNEY 35.00 X 117789 0 6534 BONITA P TENNERIELLO ATTORNEY 35.00 X 117142 0 13156 LATOYA N WHITESIDE ATTORNEY 35.00 X 106263 0 22984 622294 0 62064 5 0 1 0 0 32735 2646567 1275992 3955294 ATTORNEY FEES 541100 36162 36162 1395 1395 37557 33932 33932 35650 32735 19571 16079 16079 4042862 37557 0 50011 161362 109726 16136 35500 2339505 1991995 190456 157054 112424 95771 9148 7505 313880 264845 25629 23406 210241 176848 17350 16043 20355 20355 35400 35400 386074 267466 118608 1200 1200 63155 20201 42806 148 24675 24675 301718 234408 46045 21265 18843 18843 12616 11016 831 769 PUBLICATIONS & BOOKS 14614 14614 CONTINUING EDUCATION 14093 14093 FUNDRAISING COSTS 11805 11805 FILING FEES 519 519 4042479 3279901 489083 273495 344323 253557 1068017 2050121 1087387 10000 14082 54846 766721 301147 301176 2814956 3436421 432049 439688 232750 69683 257215 257215 0 776510 922014 1543096 X 1892942 1893325 1892942 1893325 2814956 3436421 383 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 2459302 2815540 3050968 3491552 3990944 15808306 2459302 2815540 3050968 3491552 3990944 15808306 15808306 15362 16793 9980 6900 33932 82967 282125 67341 288300 188610 37557 863933 16755206 0.94350 0.94110 X 10657 35400 46057 3996422 4042479 352124 88031 0 0 285736 306459 323242 352124 1267561 1901342 66179 35160 42696 46057 190092 71434 76615 80811 88031 316891 475337 7737 2760 10296 10657 31450 0 1 X 0 RESTRICTED CASH 257811 SECURITY DEPOSIT 43365 301176 LEASE LIABILITY 776510 776510 4062433 0 4062433 -19571 -19571 4042862 4062050 19571 19571 4042479 0 4042479 PART IV, LINE 2B: WHEN CASES SETTLE, THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVES FUNDS THAT BELONG TO THE CLIENT AND MUST PLACE THOSE FUNDS IN A TRUST ACCOUNT SEPARATE FROM ITS OWN MONEY. THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS THESE FUNDS IN INTEREST ON LAWYERS TRUST ACCOUNTS ("IOLTA"). PART XI, LINE 4B - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: FUNDRAISING EVENT EXPENSES -19,571. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: FUNDRAISING EVENT EXPENSES 19,571. PLS 50 ANNIVERSARY BUILDING JUSTICE 68385 32735 35650 10877 2759 5935 68385 32735 35650 10877 2759 5935 19571 16079 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ELIZABETH MATOS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 143500 0 0 0 0 0 7125 0 4387 0 155012 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1, DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION MISSION MCLS D/B/A PRISONERS' LEGAL SERVICES (PLS): TO CHALLENGE THE CARCERAL SYSTEM THROUGH LITIGATION, ADVOCACY, CLIENT COUNSELING, PARTNERSHIP WITH IMPACTED INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES, AND OUTREACH TO POLICYMAKERS AND THE PUBLIC IN ORDER TO PROMOTE THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF INCARCERATED PERSONS AND END HARMFUL CONFINEMENT. PLS PROVIDES ADVICE TO POLICY MAKERS AND ASSISTS LEGISLATORS WITH LEGISLATION AND CONSTITUENT CONCERNS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B FORM 990 WAS REVIEWED BY THE BOARD'S FINANCE COMMITTEE, INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND THE CFO. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C EACH DIRECTOR, PRINCIPAL OFFICER AND MEMBER OF A COMMITTEE WITH GOVERNING BOARD DELEGATED POWERS MUST ANNUALLY SIGN A STATEMENT WHICH AFFIRMS SUCH PERSON: (A) HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, (B) HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THE POLICY, (C) HAS AGREED TO COMPLY WITH THE POLICY, (D) UNDERSTANDS THE ORGANIZATION IS CHARITABLE AND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ITS FEDERAL TAX EXEMPTION IT MUST ENGAGE PRIMARILY IN ACTIVITIES WHICH ACCOMPLISH ONE OR MORE OF ITS TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD PERIODICALLY REVIEWS AND SETS THE COMPENSATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. PRIOR TO MAKING THE DECISION ON COMPENSATION, THE COMMITTEE OBTAINS AND RELIES UPON COMPARATIVE DATA FROM OTHER SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS AS TO REASONABLENESS; AND CONTEMPORANEOUSLY DOCUMENTS THE BASIS FOR ITS DETERMINATION. THE LAST SUCH DETERMINATION WAS IN 2019. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE MA FORM PC FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. THIS FORM IS OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION. GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2 C THIS PROCESS HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.