Massachusetts Corrections System

Massachusetts Corrections System

1. Community Corrections (MA)

   • Probation
     • Supervision, granted by a judicial officer as long as the person meets certain conditions of behavior, as an alternative to jail. (Schmalleger, 2024, p.359)
   • Parole
     • A conditional release from prison under supervision and strict conditions to serve the remainer of the sentence.
   • Community-Based-Programs
     • Local Programs that address the defendants offending behavior such as treatment, education, and reentry support.
   • Pretrial Supervision
     • To ensure the court appearance and the public safety by supervising the defendant before conviction.

2. County Corrections (Jails/House of Corrections)

   • Pretrial Detention
     • The hold of a defendant who did not post bail or could not make bail, to ensure their court appearance and to ensure the safety of the public. According to https://scsdma.org/facilities/nashua-street-jail/, the jail houses approximately 700 pretrial detainees in 13 different housing units.
   • Short-Term Sentences
     • According to the Suffolk Sheriffs Department, a short term sentence is any sentence shorter than 2.5 years.
   • County Sentenced Population
     • Nashua Street Jail usually only holds pretrial detainees, where South Bay holds the short term sentenced individuals.
   • Local Confinement Authority
     • County sheriffs oversee the Houses of Correction by transporting, giving rehab resources, and providing security to those in the jail.

3. State Corrections (Massachusetts DOC)

   • Security Levels
     • "Most states use a classification system to assign new prisoners to initial custody levels based on their perceived dangerousness, escape risk, and type of offense." (Schmalleger, 2024, p.396) These include minimum, medium, and maximum security levels.
   • Long-Term Incarceration
     • State prisons that house individuals serving a sentence greater than 2.5 years. Unlike short term sentences, state prisons are designed for multi-year commitments which includes higher security measures.
   • Female Facility
     • The primary Massachusetts female facility is MCI Framingham. According to https://www.mass.gov/locations/mci-framingham, "it provides a comprehensive network of programming for women who are serving criminal sentences, awaiting trial, or are civilly committed."
   • Reentry Preparation
     • Prepares people for release through various different supervised opportunities. According to the Mass DOC website, some of those areas include, housing, employment, probation and parole coordination, and continuity of care for medical, mental health, and substance abuse treatment.

4. Parole

   • When it occurs
     • It occurs during incarceration when a person is released early
   • Who supervises
     • Massachusetts Parole Board
   • Common Conditions
     • "Includes agreement to not leave the state as well as to obey extradition from other jurisdictions and periodically report to parole officers and parole officers may visit parolees at their homes/workplace anytime." (Schmalleger, 2024, p.364)
   • Violation Outcome
     • Depending on the Massachusetts Parole Boards decision, they can have their parole revoked and be returned to prison to complete their sentence

5. Probation

   • Violation Outcome
     • "A violation of conditions can lead to probation revocation." (Schmalleger, 2024, p.360) They are managed by the court and a judge can modify conditions and even impose jail time.
   • Common Conditions
     • "General conditions usually require that the probationer obey all laws, maintain employment, remain within the jurisdiction of the court, possess no firearms, allow the probation officer to visit at home or at work, etc." (Schmalleger, 2024, p.360)
   • Who supervises
     • Massachusetts Probation Officers
   • When it occurs
     • It occurs by a judge order at sentencing before incarceration

6. Movement Through the Correction System

   • County Corrections - State Corrections
     • State Prison commitment. Longer sentences (more than 2.5 years) relocate people from the House of Corrections to the Department of Corrections
   • State Corrections - Community Corrections
     • Released into Supervision. The transition from incarceration to supervision, whether that be parole or probation
   • Community Corrections - County Corrections
     • Pretrial Detention. When someone is moved to county jail after being held pending a trial.

7. Reentry

   • Barrier
     • Mental Health needs
     • Substance Abuse relapse
   • Support
     • Department of Public Health
     • Health Insurance and Medical Care