News  MPS secures sober beds for individuals re-entering the community

In an effort to address the housing needs of offenders being released from prison to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the Massachusetts Probation Service recently purchased approximately 180 sober home beds across the state for probationers thanks to a joint funding effort involving MPS and the Massachusetts Parole Board in partnership with the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing (MASH).

MPS, through an Interagency Service Agreement with Parole, is providing $216,000 to secure sober housing beds throughout the state for probationers and for people being discharged from the Houses of Correction and the Department of Corrections.

“Due to COVID-19’s impact on the prison system, employment, and on the homeless shelter, there are fewer resources available to support probationers and people released from prison that may not have functional home plans and behavioral health supports. These beds are available through the end of the Fiscal Year, June 30,” said MPS Deputy Commissioner of Programs Michael Coelho. 

Coelho and Probation Commissioner Edward Dolan acknowledged the partners in this venture.

“I would like to thank Gloriann Moroney, Chair of the Parole Board, Kevin Keefe, Executive Director of the Parole Board, and Larissa Matzek of the Massachusetts Alliance of Sober Housing for their leadership on this initiative and for their spirit of collaboration and cooperation during this challenging time. This effort came together very quickly.”