Suggested Reading: November 25, 2025

R Street Institute Newsletter Articles:

1. McKenna published an op-ed in DC Journal: “President Trump Wants Treatment Without Harm Reduction. It Won’t Work.” 

2. R Street’s Stacey McKenna published “Contraceptive Wants and Needs Among Women with Substance Use Disorders.” 

3. Boyd published “Why Opioid Treatment Program Locations Matter” and “Case Studies: Examining Right-to-Contraception State-Level Legislative Processes.”

4. McKenna and R Street’s Lisel Petis (Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties) and Matt Germer (Governance) published “Militarizing Public Safety Responses Is a Strategic and Legal Misstep.” 

5. Reason Foundation published commentary titled “Modernizing addiction regulations: How licensing, telehealth, and delivery reform can expand access to care.” 

6. The SUPPORT Act, a bill to reauthorize billions of dollars in funding for opioid prevention and treatment, is still awaiting presidential signature. 

7. Oklahoma’s harm reduction programs are at risk unless state lawmakers      extend their legal right to operate.

8. Reason Foundation published commentary on Philadelphia’s 2025 law that limits where mobile medical and harm reduction units can operate in the city’s Kensington neighborhood.
   

Research, Policy and News

Opioids and other drugs

In access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD):

1. New research showed “wide disparities” in buprenorphine uptake across states.

2. A study found that offering MOUD to people while they are incarcerated increases their likelihood of continuing treatment after release and reduces overdose and risk of re-incarceration.

3. New research found that specialty treatment for substance use disorder increased by 28 percent in states that undertook Medicaid expansion between 2010 and 2022.

4. The National Safety Council published a tool to help employers determine how much naloxone their workplaces should stock.

5. Libby Jones of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator visited the SMART Policy Podcast to talk about addiction treatment behind bars and the role harm reduction plays in the recovery ecosystem.

6. China will tighten controls on the export of 13 fentanyl precursor chemicals.

7. “Is Prohibition the Solution to the Complexity of Substance Use?” 

8. “Medication for Opioid Disorder Doesn’t Swap One Drug For Another”

9. Holidays Never Meant Much to Me —  Until I Went to Prison

Introducing Community Pulse!

A Voice From Within Reaching Maine’s Communities, One Poll at a Time

Community Pulse is a new signature section of Voices From Within, created to engage people OUTSIDE the prison walls in the real conversations Maine needs to have about justice reform. Each month, we release a focused, one-topic opinion poll designed by Gordon Editor of “Voices From Within” section on MPAC’s website. This avenue for highlighting major issues by those still inside like Gordon help MPAC and partner groups fighting for: Parole4ME, a Corrections Ombudsman, CleanSlate4ME, fixing the public defender crisis, and more teach people about the system.

No noise. No politics. Just truth, clarity, and the pulse of real Mainers.

⚡️ WHAT COMMUNITY - PULSE - IS HERE TO DO

1. ➮ Gather Real Data That Builds the Reform Movement

   • Community Pulse polls help measure what Mainers actually think about the key efforts shaping the future of our Criminal Justice system. Every poll gives us critical insight into issues like:

     • 🔥 Support for Parole4ME and second chances

     • Whether Mainers want a Corrections Ombudsman

     • 🧹 Backing for CleanSlate4ME (LD1911)

     • ⚖️ Views on sentencing fairness and young-adult rehabilitation

     • 💰 Awareness of incarceration costs

     • 👥 Support for fixing the public defender crisis

     • This data becomes fuel. Fuel for MPAC messaging. Fuel for legislative testimony. Fuel for public conversations that move the needle forward. When you know where people stand, you know where to push.

2. ➮ Track What People “Know” About the System & “What They Don’t”

   • Let’s say what we know so of most people & cases: most people care about public safety, but have zero idea how Maine’s justice system truly works. That’s not their fault that nobody ever told them the truth, or that they were not impacted by the system in a way that made them start conversations like these, that can lead to impactful change we need in the Criminl Justice System.

   • Community Pulse exposes the gaps and clears up the myths by revealing whether Mainers:

     • 🟦 Know Maine abolished parole

     • 🟩 Understand why an Ombudsman matters

     • 🟥 Realize Clean Slate keeps records visible to police

     • 🟨 Know incarceration costs taxpayers more than college

     • 🟧 Believe rehabilitation can outperform punishment

     • 🟫 Recognize the severity of the public defender crisis

When we know what the public knows — and what they don’t — we tailor education and outreach that actually hits home.

🔥 HOW “COMMUNITY PULSE” WORKS

Each month, Gordon builds a single-topic opinion poll centered on reforms at the front line of MPAC’s work.

Each poll is:

• 📝 Short and simple

• 🎯 Focused on one issue

• 📣 Made for public sharing

• 🧭 A guiding tool for justice-reform outreach

Polls are shared through:

• MPAC members

• Civic & community groups

• Faith communities

• Colleges & students

• Families touched by the justice system

• Social justice partners across Maine

Every completed poll strengthens the reform movement’s reach and sharpens our message

🌟 THE BIGGER GOAL

Community Pulse exists to spark honest conversations that help Mainers learn the truth and become allies for long-overdue justice reforms. Maine is ahead of most states in corrections innovation, but miles behind in transparency, parole, and keeping up with national expansion of prison reforms. There’s a disconnect between what happens here, and what people think happens out there. And that disconnect has consequences.

Community Pulse helps close that gap by:

• 🔎 Revealing what Mainers believe

• 📚 Providing real information they’ve never had

• ❤️ Humanizing the system’s impact

• 🔥 Building support for smarter, safer reforms

• Strengthening efforts like Parole4ME, Ombudsman4ME & CleanSlate4ME, Humane Prison initiatives & much more!

• 🤝 Bringing new allies into the fight for true public safety

This is how you turn conversations into awareness... awareness into understanding... and understanding into support for real, lasting change.

✨ CLOSING LINE

When people’s voices are finally heard & not ignored, or filtered it starts the real conversations that can lead to real practical change we need in & outside the Criminal Justice System. Community Pulse is how we get there, one question at a time.

Thank you for checking out this section. We hope you educate others so they may learn and start conversations to effect positive impactful change throughout the system as we know it!

Suggested Reading: November 18, 2025

1. He Survived War … But Almost Died in Prison: The Need for Medical Release in Hawai’i

2. Prison Pay and Commissary Prices: Too Little for Too Much

3. Listen to Their Stories: These Crime Survivors Don’t Want More Prison

4. 117 Dead in LA Jails Since Start of 2023

5. Want to learn about criminal justice reform? Start here.

6. Transforming juvenile justice by advancing the freedom and well-being of girls and gender expansive youth

7. Supreme Court Will Decide If Mail-In Ballots Must Arrive by Election Day

8. 5 Black Heroes Who Took on the Fight Against Mass Incarceration

9. Ending the Death Penalty Is a Step Toward Racial JusticeSlavery Is Still Legal for Two Million People in the U.S.

10. Words Matter: Don’t Call People Felons, Convicts, or Inmates

11. How “Collateral Consequences” Keep People Trapped in the Legal System

12. How the United States Punishes People for Being Poor

13. How Young People Become Entangled in the Juvenile Legal System

14. What Do Alternatives to Incarceration Actually Look Like?

15. How The Criminal Legal System Coerces People into Pleading Guilty

16. Research Shows That Long Prison Sentences Don’t Actually Improve Safety

17. What Happens After You Get Arrested

18. What Happens When We Support Parents Instead of Sending Them to Prison

19. How to Be a Court Watcher (and Why You Should)

20. Health Care Behind Bars: Missed Appointments, No Standards, and High Costs

21. How College in Prison is Changing Lives

22. What a Day in Prison is Really Like

23. Why Punishing People in Jail and Prison Isn’t Working

24. Released From Prison With No Place to Live

25. We are advocates, researchers and activists working to end mass incarceration

26. Aug 2020 Beyond the Statistics and into the Hearts of Incarcerated Students

27. Mar 2021 Why Are People Sent to Solitary Confinement? The Reasons Might Surprise You

28. April 2021 The Impacts of Solitary Confinement

29. May 2018 Rethinking Restrictive Housing

Recipe of the week: 🍣The Surf & Turf Inside-out Connection Bowl🥩

‍‍‍Service & Connection

This week emphasizes relationship nourishment — not just physical nourishment.

🍣The Surf & Turf Inside-out Connection Bowl🥩

This dish is designed for residents in the M.D.O.C. to make during a Zoom visit with a loved one. By keeping things normal & building relationships through moments like these can help keep relationships strong. We need to be creative and embrace these new ways we can finally interact with loved ones inside the M.D.O.C. thanks to the new M.M.O.C. styled prison system that offers these opportunities to avoid getting institutionalized unlike days from the past.

🔥 This meal will have you dancing with joy (AND WHY IT MATTERS)

This creative little meal is a tasty treat that you can share with your loved one inside using all the same foods we use. It is going to surprise you for sure with its delicious taste. The best part is getting to share some time with your loved one using the global language we all know which is the food, and quality time shared with one another. Enjoy and keep checking out future M.E.A.L.S..

🥣 INGREDIENTS

• 1 pouch/can tuna

• 1–2 ramen packs OR 1 bag instant rice

• 3.5 oz summer sausage, chopped to preferred size

• 1 or 2 syrup packet or from a bottle of syrup use enough (for caramelizing)

• Pickles, chopped small and add more if you like the flavor (roughly 2–3 tbsp)

• I use Bacon/Cheddar block cheese, but we have Mozzarella & Cheddar which is then diced or shredded

• Olives (optional)

• 🧄Garlic powder

• GOYA Adobo seasoning (this is my go to seasoning it slamming!)

• Jalapeño & some light Mayo if you like these flavors (optional)

‍ DIRECTIONS

1. Cook Your Base

   • Rice: microwave and fluff.

   • Ramen: cook and drain, keeping it hot.

2. Caramelize the Sausage (The Magic Step ✨)

   • Chop summer sausage into small pieces.

   • Place in a microwave-safe bowl or a clean trash bag set inside another bowl.

   • Add 1 or 2 syrup packet (cover meat leisurely) + optional jalapeño slices.

   • Microwave 7–8 minutes, stopping every minute to stir & cover meat with glaze to carmalize.

   • When the syrup coats the sausage & builds a light crust, it’s ready.

   • 👉 This adds a sweet-savory flavor people don’t expect from prison cooking.

3. Build the Connection Bowl

   • Add hot rice/ramen (or both) to your mixing bowl.

   • Add the tuna, breaking it apart.

   • Add the caramelized sausage.

   • 🥒Mix in pickles, olives, and cheese.

   • Stir everything together while still hot.

4. Season It

   • Garlic powder, seasoning packet from soup,

   • GOYA Adobo

   • Mayo if you want it creamy

   • Stir until everything blends into a thick, hearty meal.

‍❤️ FINAL NOTE

This dish isn’t just food. It’s a reminder that your inside connection is still alive, even in hard times & places, and this is another great example of how we can learn keep strong & build our futures by enacting one small act of kindness at a time.

Word of the week: Fish

Word: Fish

Pronunciation: /ˈfish/

Plain definition:

A fish is a term used to describe someone newly arriving in prison. This is usually a first-timer who hasn’t yet learned the routines, language, or culture of incarceration. For those inside already part of the system these individuals stick out loudly & clearly due to their lack of knowledge combined with a fear of wanting to survive & following protocols of surviving in a typical prison environment. These so called fish adapt to survive in these prison environments which then leads to all kinds of longterm mental health related issues created by prison systems without positive polices & humanizing practices that teach & repair individuals instead of locking them up and throwing away the keys.

How it’s used:

When someone first comes through intake or arrives on the unit, other residents might call them a fish. It identifies them as a new person on the block or someone still figuring out how things work essentially. Sometimes the word is neutral, even teasing in a friendly way; other times, it can be used to test or challenge a person’s composure. Historically, being labeled a fish could mean your fair game for manipulation or intimidation. But in prison environments guided by using humanizing practices this is more of a fun tease and positive leadership and peer mentorship, will lead to friendly guidance, not exploitation unlike years past. This of course is in an environment like the M.D.O.C. where people act more like human beings instead of like animals which is how people are treated in prisons outside ME.

Where you’ll see it:

You’ll hear fish in nearly every correctional setting, especially intake units or reception areas where first-timers are processed. It’s also one of the most recognizable pieces of prison slang in pop culture — often used in films or books to portray vulnerability or naivety when someone first enters incarceration. Inside modern correctional environments, especially those influenced by the Maine Model of Corrections (MMOC), the focus has shifted toward support, stability, and mentorship for those early days. The concepts of the M.M.O.C. are not only new & innovative but they work. They tend to treat people inside in a human way which has not been the case over my 30 yrs inside and it is a step in the right direction. Treating people inside like humans makes them want to do positive things more so than not which works on making the Restorative Justice aspect so heavily utilized in ME come into play. This leads to all kinds of positive things taking shape never before seen in these prison environments outside of the occasional fluke. The violence has decreased to a standstill and recidivism rates are also decreasing in Maine which is something that has rarely happened anywhere in the US since the start of prisons shaping the country as we know it today.

Risks & concerns:

• Culture shock: Entering a prison setting for the first time can be traumatic and isolating without guidance.

• Exploitation: New arrivals can be targeted if they lack understanding of how things work or who to trust.

• Safety: Not knowing informal or institutional expectations can lead to unintentional conflict.

• Adjustment stress: First-timers often face emotional overload, fear, and uncertainty.

• Culture shock: Entering a prison setting for the first time can be traumatic and isolating without guidance.

Human note:

The word fish has always said a lot about both the person being labeled — and the system they’re entering. It speaks to vulnerability, learning, and survival. Everyone who’s ever done time remembers their first days: the confusion, the noise, the unknown. In the past, that label often meant weakness or fresh opportunity for others to take advantage. But in facilities working under the Maine Model of Corrections, the meaning is starting to shift — from prey to peer, from target to trainee. Today, many residents who’ve walked the hard road are using that experience to mentor, educate, and help new people find their footing.

Gordon’s perspective:

Back before the Maine Model of Corrections took root, the word fish carried a different kind of weight. A new guy meant easy pickings or someone to school the hard way. The old environment was built on survival and separation. Now, things look and feel different. Residents have more to lose — jobs, programs, education, living situations and trust or relationships they’ve worked hard to build over time which changes everything. Under M.M.O.C., helping a fish isn’t about control; it’s about showing peers there is a better way to do time that leads to your success & happyness. You see more people teaching, guiding, and encouraging instead of testing or fighting. The positive doors the M.M.O.C. have opened gave residents a reason to walk a different path than in days past which helps lead others in the right direction alongside there own paths. That shift doesn’t just make daily life better; it builds a foundation for success beyond these walls that lowers recidivism. By teaching what accountability, community, responsibility alongside rewarding good behavior is a recipe for success for those inside struggling to find the right path in life after making mistakes they cannot take back.

Practical takeaway:

If someone refers to a loved one as a fish, understand that it marks a period of transition and learning. These early months are where strong mentorship, stability, and constructive engagement matter most. Advocates and staff should look for ways to connect new arrivals with positive peer support, orientation programs, and meaningful activity. In a well-functioning system, the fish stage isn’t something to survive — it’s where transformation begins!

Word of the week: Cellie

Word: Cellie

Pronunciation: /ˈsel-ēe

Plain definition:

Short for cellmate. The person you share your living space with in a correctional facility — usually a small, confined area where two people live, sleep, and navigate daily routines together.

How it’s used:

A cellie is often the most constant presence in a resident’s life. Some pairs develop tight friendships built on mutual respect and shared survival; others coexist quietly and just try to stay out of each other’s way. The relationship dynamic can shape a person’s entire experience inside — for better or worse.

Where you’ll see it:

Anywhere residents are double-bunked or assigned shared living quarters. The word is used casually in conversation, paperwork, and even programming to describe housing partners.

Risks & concerns:

• Conflict: Different personalities, cleanliness standards, or schedules can easily create tension.

• Safety: Poor cell matches can escalate into fights, bullying, or long-term resentment.

• Mental health: Constant proximity with little privacy can trigger stress, anxiety, or depression.

• Adjustment: Frequent cell moves or changes in cellies can disrupt stability or sleep patterns.

Human note:

Ever think about how much trust it takes to sleep a few feet away from someone you barely know? Being a cellie means living in tight quarters, learning to compromise, and often managing tension silently. It’s not just about survival — it’s about learning emotional control and respect in a space where neither comes easy. For some, a good cellie becomes like family. For others, it’s a day-by-day practice in patience.

Practical takeaway:

When a resident mentions a new cellie or conflict with one, it’s worth paying attention. Cell compatibility can deeply affect safety, stress levels, and rehabilitation outcomes. Staff and advocates should monitor housing stability, support conflict mediation, and ensure both residents’ voices are heard when issues arise. A good cellie situation can support growth — a bad one can set recovery or progress back months.

Meaning:

Short for cellmate. A cellie is the person you share your living space with — day in, day out — often for months or even years at a time.

Used in a Sentence:

“My cellie and I been down together for three years. We run like clockwork — one cooks, one cleans.”

Insight:

Having a cellie can be one of the biggest lessons in patience and adaptability. It’s not just about sharing a small room — it’s about sharing moods, habits, and space in a place where privacy barely exists. Sometimes you luck out and find someone you click with. Other times, it’s about endurance and learning to keep the peace. Either way, every cellie situation teaches something about communication, empathy, and respect. Inside or outside, those are survival skills worth carrying with you.

Real Talk: Living With a Cellie

Having a cellie is a crash course in humanity. You learn how different people handle pressure, boredom, anger, and change. You see what cooperation really means when there’s nowhere to hide and no “off switch” for the person across from you. There are moments of laughter, frustration, even silence that says more than words ever could. Over time, you figure out what matters most — respect, honesty, and a little understanding. The truth is, being a good cellie is a reflection of the kind of person you are becoming. It’s practice for life on the outside where shared space might not have bars, but it still takes patience and respect to live in harmony.

I will leave you with that my friends. I hope you enjoyed this weeks word and you had some fun with it all. I appreciate you caring enough to check this page out so thank you!

Thanks everyone for reading these little projects of mine. I don't quite know what I would call yet. I guess it's a little bit of everything in here. My hope is people can benefit from this somehow. Its a win if that's happening in my eyes. Plus a little more positive anything is what we like!

— Gordon