MASS DC - Old Colony Correctional Center (OCCC)

OCCC is a state-of-the-art medium and minimum security facility situated on thirty acres of land at the Bridgewater Correctional Complex (along with Bridgewater State Hospital, Massachusetts Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center, and the Treatment Center). Dedicated to mental health and rehabilitation, OCCC aims to provide efficient services while promoting the successful reintegration of inmates into society. All inmates housed at OCCC have been transferred from other prisons within the Massachusetts Department of Correction (MA DOC).

The facility comprises nine cell blocks, six of which contain sixty cells each, and three with thirty cells each. An additional sixty-cell modular unit was added in May 1990 to accommodate the consistently high daily count. Despite some double-bunking, the facility maintains a secure perimeter consisting of a fourteen-foot double chain-link fence topped with razor wire. State-of-the-art motion detectors, integrated into a microwave system, further enhance security by alerting personnel to intruders passing between the fences.

Reflecting its historical significance, OCCC's housing units are named after Revolutionary War heroes like William Dawes and Crispus Attucks, symbolizing hope and new beginnings. Additionally, the facility hosts the Old Colony Correctional Center Minimum Unit, a level 3 secured facility that was previously overseen by Southeastern Correctional Center until its closure in July 2002.

OCCC offers a range of programs aimed at promoting rehabilitation and reintegration, including the Alternatives to Violence (AVP) program, the Chess Club, City Mission Fellowship meetings, the Greenhouse and/or Garden Program, HIV/AIDS Education, the Music Theory Program, The Neocatechumenal Way, the Rational Recovery Program, Self Help/Twelve Step Programs, Speaking Without Fear, Toastmasters, and Youth Outreach.

These programs cover various aspects of personal development, conflict resolution, substance abuse recovery, and skill-building. For instance, the AVP program teaches conflict resolution techniques, while the Chess Club provides inmates with structured recreational activities. Additionally, vocational programs like the Music Theory Program and Toastmasters focus on developing inmates' communication and creative skills.

OCCC is committed to providing inmates with opportunities for growth and rehabilitation, fostering a supportive environment conducive to positive behavioral change. Through its diverse range of programs and initiatives, OCCC endeavors to empower inmates to reintegrate successfully into society and lead productive lives upon release.