Lauren Petit v. Department of Correction (SPR 20250332)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records February 13, 2025 SPR25/0332 Kate Silvia Director Communications & Administrative Resolution Department of Correction 50 Maple Street Milford, MA 01757 Dear Director Silvia: I have received the petition of Lauren Petit, Esq., of Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts, appealing the response of the Department of Correction (Department) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On August 14, 2024, Attorney Petit requested: [1] For each month from May 2024 through the date the response is compiled, the total number of requests for medical parole (including requests for reconsideration) filed by medical contractor staff, and a. The racial breakdown of those for whom those requests were submitted, b. The number of those requests that were based on terminal illness, physical incapacitation or cognitive incapacitation, c. The number of those requests that were granted, d. The number of those requests that were denied, e. The number of those requests still pending, f. The number of prisoners who have died while a medical contractor-filed request for medical parole was pending; [2] The number of guardianship proceedings DOC or their medical contractor have filed from May 2024 to the date the response is compiled[;] [3] All Vitalcore or DOC policies, procedures or guidelines that describe when guardianship should be sought and the internal process for initiating guardianship proceedings[;] 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

Kate Silvia SPR25/0332 Page 2 February 13, 2025 [4] All Vitalcore policies, procedures or guidelines that describe when and how Health Care Proxies or Agents will be engaged by DOC or medical provider staff; [5] The current number of people in DOC facilities who have been granted medical parole but remain incarcerated. The Department provided responses on August 26, 2024, and January 24, 2025. Unsatisfied with the responses, Attorney Petit petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR25/0332, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Department provided Attorney Petit with a supplemental response on February 13, 2025. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the Department’s August 26th and January 24th responses, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Attorney Petit may appeal the substantive nature of the Department’s February 13th response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Lauren Petit, Esq.