News

Learn about CELWOP’s ongoing work and read news stories relevant to our community.

  • Edward Wright has been freed from prison. The New England Innocence Project announced that on July 31, 2025, its client, Edward Wright, has been freed from prison after being wrongfully incarcerated for more than 41 years for a Springfield murder he did not commit. This decision was based on findings of police and prosecutorial misconduct; however Edward Wright’s fight for exonoration is not yet over, as the Commonwealth may still decide to retry the case.

  • Thank you to Representative Sabadosa and Senator Liz Miranda on a successful Lobby Day on July 29, 2025, at the Massachusetts State House for The Joint Venture Bill. We are grateful for the amazing community support and give a loud shout out to the extraordinary dedication of the We are Joint Venture Inc. supporters.

  • Joint Committee on the Judiciary, Hearing #6: Sex Offenses and Domestic Violence, Chaired by Chairwoman Edwards, Hearing Details, June 17, 2025. Cynthia Goldberg, Community Organizer for CELWOP, testified at this hearing.

  • Joint Committee on the Judiciary, Criminal and Court Procedure Hearing Details, June 3, 2025. Testimony was heard on an Act to end Mass Incarceration H2052 S1178. See, for example: testimony from Prisoners’ Legal Services, League of Women Voters of MA, and Lois Ahrens, Director of the Real Cost of Prisons Project. (Note that Massachusetts has the highest percentage of people serving life without the possibility of parole in the United States.)

Press conference announcement by New England Innocence Project for April 17 at 10:30 a.m. at U.S. District Court in Boston, discussing Edward Wright's overturned conviction.

  • Lobby Day on three critical reform bills. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the April 15, 2025, powerful lobby day at the MA State House! Together, we advocated for critical reforms to improve conditions for incarcerated people and create pathways to decarceration. See the related article, Advocates Push for Incarcerated Individuals’ Rights at State House, by Olivia Ray in 22 News WWLP.com.

    Special thanks to our bill sponsors Sen. Liz Miranda, Sen. Cynthia Creem, Lindsay Sabadosa, State Representative, 1st Hampshire District, Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven , Rep. Marjorie Decker, and Brandy Fluker Oakley State Representative 12th Suffolk District for their leadership on elder/medical parole, family connections, and human rights legislation.

Two people standing behind a podium with a wooden background and the Massachusetts state seal. An American flag is visible in the background. One person is speaking, wearing a suit, and the other is standing beside them.
Two women standing behind a wooden podium with the Massachusetts state seal, in a formal setting with an American flag in the background.
A person standing behind a podium featuring the seal of Massachusetts, with an American flag in the background.
A woman in a yellow blazer speaking at a podium with the Massachusetts state seal, American flag in background.
Three people taking a selfie in front of a historic building with a golden dome and columns, likely a government building or capitol.
Two people posing indoors with a smiling woman wearing a blue shirt and jeans, and a man in a green shirt and black jacket. They are in a room with a wooden door and chairs.
A group of people sitting and standing in a room with ornate decorations, attending a meeting or presentation. A person in a pink jacket is speaking at a podium. Portraits hang on the walls, and chandeliers provide lighting. People appear attentive and engaged.
A person speaking at a wooden podium with the seal of Massachusetts visible on the front. They are wearing a dark cap and glasses, standing in a room with plain walls and a carpeted floor. Another piece of wooden furniture is partially visible to the left.

  • Legislative Advocacy Skills, Strategies, and Solidarity: Building Collective Power to Change the Law. This event on March 29, 2025, brought together Boston-area legal and community organizations to share legislative advocacy skills and strategies that they have employed in their efforts to promote greater healing, dignity, and freedom in Massachusetts.

    We want to thank Professor Glass and Boston University along with Rep Worrell, Rep Montano, Rep Sabadosa, and Rep Uyterhoeven, whose hard work and educational support brought about this event. We also extend a special thank you to PLS, FJAH, Jane Doe, League of Women Voters, CELWOP, WAJVINC, and all the incarcerated men and women and their families and advocates. #celwop, #wajvinc.

WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS

A Boston man spent decades behind bars for a murder he didn't commit; now he's helping others. WBZ/CBS Boston, February 27, 2025.

After having served almost 41 years of life without parole, all charges were dismissed against James Watson in 2020. Three years earlier, after serving 38 years, Watson’s co-defendant Frederick Clay was exonerated as well.

Black book cover titled "A Second Chance" featuring a pair of hands in handcuffs and the name Judge Frederic Block.