DORCHESTER PROBATION DEPARTMENT
SPONSORS COMMUNITY HEALTH SCREENING

The Probation Department of the Boston Municipal Court - Dorchester Division will join with the Men's Health Coalition to do a free health screening for probationers and for anyone who wants one today from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the courthouse located at 510 Washington Street.

The screening for prostate cancer is one of many outreach programs the probation department offers to the community, according to Dorchester Court Chief Probation Officer Bernard Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald said the screening will become an annual event. The screening was organized by Probation Officers of the Boston Municipal Court- Dorchester Division James Spencer and John Christopher.

Christopher and Spencer said they are hoping to screen as many as 100 men for prostate cancer at the event. The Probation Officers decided to partner with the Men's Health Coalition for the screening because the men that they work with are in a high-risk group for prostate cancer.

"African-American men are at a high risk for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer represents 40 percent of all new cancers," Christopher said.

He added, "This screening is very important. For one, it connects Dorchester District Court with all of the things we are already doing in the community. We also have a strong and amiable relationship with the police department."

Courtney Grey, Men’s Health Coalition program manager, described the Dorchester Probation Department as a non-traditional partner which has made it possible for a “unique” event. The health screenings are part of the coalition’s “2010 Men” campaign.

“This partnership helps us get into the mind-set of the men who are on probation. This is how we motivate people to action and get them to think about taking care of their health,” said Grey.

The Massachusetts Probation Service is a department of the Massachusetts Trial Court. There are 12 Superior Court, 63 District Court, eight Boston Municipal Court, and 12 Probate and Family Court probation departments throughout the Commonwealth. Probation’s Juvenile Court System includes 11 divisions which represent every county in the state. There are 21 Community Corrections Centers throughout the state.