If Water is a Human Right, Are Prisoners Not Human?

The Deeper Than Water Coalition is working to end the toxic water problem within the Massachusetts prison system.

The Deeper Than Water Coalition—a multi-generational, multi-racial coalition of formerly and currently incarcerated people, allies and abolitionists—is working to call attention to the toxic water problem within the Massachusetts prison system. The problem is leaving prisoners at the Norfolk prison without reliable access to clean and safe drinking water. The water is contaminated by iron and manganese and other sediments, and buying bottled water is not a feasible option for most inmates.

This water crisis is a symptom of racism within our justice system. The Deeper Than Water Coalition is working to hold the state accountable; provide every prisoner with clean, safe, free and sufficient water; and tell the story of incarceration in the U.S.

To sign up for updates on this issue or for more information, please contact our Massachusetts community organizer Sofía Owen at sofia@communityactionworks.org.