2025-02-05T07:45:42-06:00 2024-06-30 043138777 PKF JND PC 400 CROWN COLONY DRIVE SUITE 102 QUINCY MA 02169 990 2023-07-01 042523362 MASSACHUSETTS CORRECTIONAL LEGAL SERVICES INC DBA PRISONERS' LEGAL SVCS MASS 6174822773 50 FEDERAL STREET 4TH FL BOSTON MA 02110 JAMES PINGEON INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 6174822773 2025-02-04 1 1 AMANDA WOLFE P01289269 6174220007 2025-02-04 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z JAMES PINGEON 50 FEDERAL STREET 4TH FL BOSTON MA 02110 4838357 0 X WWW.PLSMA.ORG X 1973 MA SEE SCHEDULE O 16 16 36 90 0 0 3955294 4315702 37557 434854 33932 48251 16079 24562 4042862 4823369 0 0 0 0 3137412 3815695 0 0 293883 905067 787753 4042479 4603448 383 219921 3436421 3468539 1543096 1355293 1893325 2113246 X PLS' MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF INCARCERATED PERSONS AND END HARMFUL CONFINEMENT. 0 0 3790041 434854 PRISONERS' LEGAL SERVICES CONTINUED TO PARTNER WITH CLIENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY THROUGH THE END OF THE FORMAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHICH BEGAN IN JANUARY 2023 AND ENDED ON JULY 30, 2024. WE ADVOCATED FOR BILLS TO (1) END LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE SENTENCING (2) INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH MEDIA AND RECORDS ACCESS (3) ADDRESS STRUCTURAL RACISM THROUGH COLLECTING RACE BASED DATA AND ESTABLISHING INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT MECHANISMS (4) IMPROVE THE MEDICAL PAROLE SYSTEM (5) END INCARCERATION SOLELY FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT (6) IMPROVE ACCESS TO PAROLE (7) CREATE A MORATORIUM ON PRISON AND JAIL CONSTRUCTION (8) CREATE A PAROLE SYSTEM FOR ELDERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE (9) ESTABLISH BASELINE STANDARDS FOR CONDITIONS OF CONFINEMENT TO PROMOTE REHABILITATION, RE-ENTRY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS AND (10) REFORM THE VISITATION SYSTEM. BILLS TO REFORM MEDICAL PAROLE, ESTABLISH BASELINE CONDITIONS OF CONFINEMENT STANDARDS, ESTABLISH ELDER PAROLE, REFORM VISITATION, ESTABLISH A PRISON AND JAIL CONSTRUCTION MORATORIUM, AND END INCARCERATION SOLELY FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT WERE REPORTED OUT FAVORABLY FROM COMMITTEE BUT DID NOT ADVANCE TO THE FLOOR OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR A VOTE. OUR BILL TO ESTABLISH NO COST COMMUNICATIONS FOR INCARCERATED PEOPLE PASSED THROUGH THE FY 2024 BUDGET LAST YEAR, AND THIS YEAR WE WORKED ON ADVOCATING FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION. WE ENGAGED WITH LEGISLATORS, HELPED TO ADDRESS THEIR CONSTITUENTS' CONCERNS, AND SUPPORTED THEIR PRISON VISITS. WE DEVELOPED AND DISTRIBUTED INFORMATION TO INCARCERATED PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS ABOUT DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, AND WE SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR DIRECT INCLUSION OF INCARCERATED PEOPLE IN LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS. WE ENGAGED IN EXECUTIVE BRANCH ADVOCACY ON EXTREME CONDITIONS OF CONFINEMENT, PARTICULARLY RELATED TO EXCESSIVE HEAT IN THE PRISON SYSTEM IN THE SUMMER MONTHS AND EXTREME CONDITIONS AT THE MAXIMUM-SECURITY PRISON. WE ALSO BEGAN PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHICH WILL BEGIN IN JANUARY 2025. WE DEVELOPED, DISTRIBUTED, AND ANALYZED AN IN-DEPTH CLIENT SURVEY TO HELP US DETERMINE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES, AND WE ENGAGED IN A DECISION-MAKING PROCESS THAT CONSIDERED CLIENT PRIORITIES, PLS STAFFING AND EXPERTISE, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, AND THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE, TO DETERMINE OUR LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND BEGAN PREPARING BILLS AND ADVOCACY MATERIALS FOR NEXT SESSION.IN JANUARY OF 2024, IN BRIGGS V. COMMISSIONER, THE COURT RULED THAT DOC'S FAILURE TO PROVIDE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING CLASS MEMBERS WITH EFFECTIVE ACCESS TO EMERGENCY ALARMS VIOLATES THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES AND REHABILITATION ACTS AND REQUIRED DOC TO SUBMIT A REMEDIAL PLAN. THAT PLAN REQUIRES DOC TO (1) INSTALL VISUAL FIRE ALARMS IN ALL DOC PRISONS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, AND (2) IMMEDIATELY ISSUE INDIVIDUAL PAGERS TO ALL CLASS MEMBERS SO THEY CAN BE PERSONALLY NOTIFIED OF ANY EMERGENCY. PLS CONTINUED ITS LITIGATION IN DOES 1-17 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. OUR THREE EXPERTS IN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT HAVE SUBMITTED REPORTS EXPLAINING THE COUNTERTHERAPEUTIC AND STIGMATIZING EFFECTS OF USING CORRECTIONAL AGENCIES TO PROVIDE INVOLUNTARY TREATMENT TO THESE INDIVIDUALS.IN APRIL OF 2024, PLS SETTLED ITS CASE AGAINST THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD FOR $900,000 IN A CASE BROUGHT BY THE FAMILY OF MADELINE LINSENMEIR, A YOUNG WOMAN WHO DIED OF A HEART INFECTION. ALSO IN APRIL, THE COURT RULED THAT PLAINTIFFS HAD PRESENTED SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE FOR A JURY TO FIND THAT THE SECOND DEFENDANT - THE HAMPDEN COUNTY SHERIFF - HAS DISCRIMINATORILY DENIED MS. LINSENMEIR MEDICAL TREATMENT BASED ON HER OPIOID USE DISORDER.PLS ALSO HAS ONGOING LITIGATION CHALLENGING VARIOUS PAROLE BOARD PRACTICES, DOC'S VISITATION POLICIES, IMPLEMENTATION OF MEDICAL PAROLE, AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IN A COUNTY HOUSE OF CORRECTION. 3790041 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 31 0 36 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 JAMES PINGEON 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 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 CELESTINO COLON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TONY GASKINS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MONIK C JIMENEZ DIRECTOR UNTIL 5/24 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOAN JOHNSTON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 SANDY LIN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELLEN LUBELL DIRECTOR UNTIL 6/24 1.00 X 0 0 0 JENNIFER MCKINNON DIRECTOR EFF. 8/23 1.00 X 0 0 0 CLOE PIPPIN DIRECTOR EFF. 9/23 1.00 X 0 0 0 MALA RAFIK ESQ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JEFFREY WIESNER DIRECTOR EFF. 8/23 1.00 X 0 0 0 ZENO WILLIAMS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ELIZABETH MATOS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UNTIL 9/23 35.00 X 137744 0 10464 CHERYL ZOLL INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EFF. 9/23 28.00 X 37377 0 12037 JAMES PINGEON ATTORNEY 35.00 X 148700 0 8164 BONITA P TENNERIELLO ATTORNEY 35.00 X 128142 0 7378 LATOYA N WHITESIDE ATTORNEY 35.00 X 115862 0 23640 DAVID MILTON ATTORNEY 35.00 X 114210 0 6592 682035 0 68275 5 0 1 0 0 8515 2981334 1325853 4315702 ATTORNEY FEES 541100 433368 433368 1486 1486 434854 48251 48251 39550 8515 14988 24562 24562 4823369 434854 0 72813 188753 128353 18875 41525 2767046 2385020 220201 161825 138215 118896 10891 8428 482751 412749 38337 31665 238930 203091 19113 16726 20548 20548 38910 38910 300339 186345 113994 48458 10346 38067 45 5081 5081 290000 236039 34523 19438 26251 26251 255 255 1299 1299 18408 16075 1244 1089 PUBLICATIONS & BOOKS 18434 18434 FUNDRAISING COSTS 13142 13142 CONTINUING EDUCATION 4451 4451 FILING FEES 2177 2177 4603448 3790041 519524 293883 253557 153839 2050121 2296229 10000 22904 153368 54846 15663 766721 525371 301176 301165 3436421 3468539 439688 445809 69683 113958 257215 257215 776510 538311 1543096 1355293 X 1893325 2101846 11400 1893325 2113246 3436421 3468539 219921 0 X X 0 1 X 1 0 X 2815540 3050968 3491552 3990944 4355252 17704256 2815540 3050968 3491552 3990944 4355252 17704256 17704256 16793 9980 6900 33932 48251 115856 67341 288300 188610 37557 434854 1016662 18836774 0.93990 0.94350 X 26635 38910 65545 4537903 4603448 380172 95043 0 0 306459 323242 352124 380172 1361997 2042996 35160 42696 46057 65545 189458 76615 80811 88031 95043 340500 510750 2760 10296 10657 26635 50348 0 1 X 0 RESTRICTED CASH 257800 SECURITY DEPOSIT 43365 301165 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 523903 FINANCE LEASE LIABILITY 14408 538311 4838357 0 4838357 -14988 -14988 4823369 4618436 14988 14988 4603448 0 4603448 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 -14,988. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: FUNDRAISING EVENT EXPENSES 14,988. BUILDING JUSTICE 2023 48065 8515 39550 8039 6949 48065 8515 39550 8039 6949 14988 24562 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 JAMES PINGEON ATTORNEY 148700 0 0 0 0 0 7400 0 764 0 156864 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 2024. 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.