Rachel Talamo v. Essex County Correctional Facility (SPR 20242537)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records September 23, 2024 SPR24/2537 Jordan Elizabeth Mitchell, Esq. Assistant General Counsel Essex County Sheriff’s Department 20 Manning Avenue P. O. Box 807 Middleton, MA 01949 Dear Attorney Mitchell: I have received the petition of Rachel Talamo, Esq., of Prisoners’ Legal Services, appealing the response of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On March 18, 2024, Al Troisi, also of Prisoners’ Legal Services, requested: [1] All documents reflecting current policies and protocols on Hepatitis C tests and treatment; [2] All documents reflecting the number of Hepatitis C tests requested by prisoners by year, in 2022, 2023, and 2024; [3] All documents reflecting the total number of people tested for Hepatitis C, by year, in 2022, 2023, and 2024, including, if available, all documents reflecting the race and/or ethnicity of all people tested; and, [4] All documents reflecting the total number of prisoners treated for Hepatitis C, by year, in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Previous Appeal The request was the subject of a previous appeal. See SPR24/1886 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (July 15, 2024). In my July 15th determination, I found that where Mr. Troisi submitted the request on March 18, 2024, it was unclear why the Department had not provided the responsive records. On July 31, 2024, the Department provided a response. Unsatisfied with the Department’s response, Attorney Talamo petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/2537, was opened as a result. One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Jordan Elizabeth Mitchell, Esq. SPR24/2537 Page 2 September 23, 2024 It is my understanding that the Department intends on providing a further response to Attorney Talamo. Accordingly, the Department is ordered to provide Attorney Talamo with said response in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within 10 business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Attorney Talamo may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Rachel Talamo, Esq.