Massachussets Corrections System

Massachussets Corrections System

1. Community Corrections

   • Pretrial Supervision
   • Parole
     • "A Period of conditional supervised release into the community following a prison term" (Schmalleger 362)
       • Only about 25% of inmates released from prison are followed by a parole officer
   • Community based Programs
     • Hawaii's HOPE program
       • Probation violations are met with ascending discipline for each time it is violated, beginning with a warning and ending in jail time
   • Probation
     • "A Sentance Served while under community supervision" (Schmalleger 395)
       • Most common form of criminal sentancing in the US

2. County Corrections

   • Pretrial Detention/County Jails
     • "Originally built to hold suspects following arrests and pending trial" (403)
       • Also used for readmitting probation and bond violators, detaining juevaniles and people with mental illnesses, transferring inmates etc
   • Short Term Sentances
     • County facilities house individuals serving short sentences (generally under 2.5 years) for less serious felony or misdemeanor convictions
       • The Suffolk County House of Correction confines individuals serving sentences of less than 2½ years, with an average sentence of about 14 months. (Suffolk County Sheriff's Department. (n.d.)https://scsdma.org/faqs/)
   • County Sentanced population
     • County jails and Houses of Correction hold a mixed population, including, Pretrial detainees, Short-term sentenced offenders, Some specialized detainee groups (e.g., immigration detainees)
       • The Suffolk County House of Correction houses people awaiting trial, sentenced inmates, and federal immigration detainees. (Suffolk County Sherrif's Department (https://scsdma.org/faqs/)
   • Local Confinement Authority
     • County sheriffs operate and manage county correctional facilities and provide custody, transportation, security, and rehabilitation services

3. State Corrections (Massachussets DOC)

   • Security Levels
     • State prisons classify the security levels of each prison in 6 different levels in order to accurately manage risks
       • Minimun Security Prison Camps, Low Security Federal Correctional Institutions, Medium Security Federal Correctional Institutions, High Security United States Penitentiaries, Administrative Maximum and Federal Correctional Complexes (Schmalleger, 400)
         • The Massachusetts Department of Correction operates multiple prison security levels to house individuals serving longer and more serious sentences. Higher security prisons emphasize perimeter control, armed staff, and restricted movement, while lower security facilities allow more programming and movement. (Mass DOC https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-correction?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
   • Long Term Incarceration
     • Chapter 12 explains that state prisons house felony offenders serving sentences longer than one year. These facilities are designed for long-term custody (Schmalleger 412)
   • Female Facilities
     • Female Facilities are seperate from male facilities in order to respect gender boundaries and ensure safety for women. The first female facility was opened in 1927. (Schmalleger 397)
       • MCI Framingham is a female facility located in framingham mass. (Mass DOC https://www.mass.gov/locations/mci-framingham)

4. Probation vs Parole

   • Probation
     • Happens after the result of a trial and instead of prison time the person is left in the community but under direct supervision of the court
       • Supervised by probation officers
         • Conditions are set by the sentencing judge and often include: Regular meetings with probation officer, Drug/alcohol testing, Counseling or treatment, Curfews or travel restrictions and payments/fines
           • Violations are handled by the court. The judge can: Issue warnings or modify conditions, Extend probation, Revoke probation and impose the original jail/prison sentence
             • The purpose of probations is to be used as an alternative to prison time leading to less crowded prisons
   • Parole
     • Happens after a person serves part of a state-prison sentence and is released early to the community under supervision.
       • Supervised by the Massachusetts Parole Board through parole officers in the executive branch.
         • Conditions are set by the Parole Board and typically include: Regular reporting to parole officer, Maintaining housing and employment, Substance-use testing and treatment, Curfew and travel restrictions, No contact with victims or criminal associates, and Participation in reentry programs
           • Violations are handled by the Parole Board. The board can: issue stricter conditions, or re incarcerate the person
             • Parole is used as a condition for an early release from prison under supervision

5. Movement Through the Corrections System

   • Courts / Community Corrections - County Corrections
     • When someone is arrested and cannot post bail or is held as dangerous, they move into county jail awaiting trial.
     • County Corrections - State Corrections
       • Sentenced to state prison for felony
       • State Corrections - Community Supervision
         • After serving part of a prison sentence, individuals may be released to parole supervision in the community.

6. Reentry

   • Reentry Barriers
     • Housing Instability
       • Discrimination and Negative Stigmas
   • Reentry Supports
     • Community supervision services
       • Substance treatment programs