Massachusetts's prison rights landscape is defined by two features families need to understand clearly. First, Massachusetts has a dual correctional system: the Massachusetts Department of Correction (MADOC) runs state prisons, while county sheriffs run Houses of Correction, which hold people serving sentences up to two and a half years. Rules for visitation, phone access, and grievances differ between the two systems. Second, Massachusetts's voting rights law is often misunderstood: a 2000 constitutional amendment removed voting rights only during incarceration for a felony conviction; voting rights are restored automatically upon release or parole. People serving misdemeanor sentences and pretrial detainees CAN vote by absentee ballot under the VOTES Act (2021/2022). Bills H 63 and S 7 are pending before the Massachusetts Legislature to restore voting rights to all incarcerated people.
MADOC operates state prisons and is headquartered at 50 Maple Street, Milford, MA 01757; inmate location line 866 277 7477. Inmate rights in MADOC facilities are governed by the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, Title 103 CMR. The tablet program (Orijin), implemented in every MADOC facility, saw 330,000 hours of educational and vocational programming in 2024 with approximately 5,000 individuals regularly engaging. MADOC's mission is centered on recidivism reduction through rehabilitation.
This guide covers rights inside Massachusetts state prisons and county jails across ten domains, grounded in MADOC policy, 103 CMR, and the current legal landscape.
Here is the short version, before we take each right apart.
Medical and mental health care are constitutionally required; pregnant inmates have specific MADOC protections. Mail follows MADOC policy. Money deposits go through Access Corrections (online; phone 866 345 1884; or mail). Phones use Securus Technologies (account setup 800 844 6591). Visitation requires prior scheduling at MADOC state prisons; county Houses of Correction have separate rules. The grievance process under 103 CMR 491 allows filing for any reason; translation in up to 140 languages; appeals go to the appellate authority. PREA protections apply. Legal services are codified in 103 CMR. Religious practice is protected. ADA accommodations are required. Massachusetts voting rights are suspended ONLY while incarcerated for a felony; restored upon release or parole; people on misdemeanor sentences and pretrial detainees can vote by absentee ballot; bills H 63 and S 7 would extend this to all incarcerated people.
Medical and mental health care
Every person in a Massachusetts state prison has a constitutional right to adequate medical and mental health care under the Eighth Amendment. MADOC provides health services across its facilities. In 2025, MADOC announced that mental and medical healthcare clinicians now have real time access to information supporting continuity of care for housed individuals. Pregnant inmates are given necessary medical services, tests, and periodic health monitoring; appropriate clothing, sanitary materials, and nutrients; and postpartum depression screening upon return to MADOC custody, with mental health services available for postpartum depression.
If your loved one is not receiving needed medical or mental health care, submit every request in writing with a date, keep copies, and file a formal grievance under 103 CMR 491. Translation in up to 140 languages is available for the grievance and sick call request processes. Contact the ACLU of Massachusetts for systemic medical care concerns.
Mail in Massachusetts state prisons is governed by MADOC policy and 103 CMR. Legal mail, meaning correspondence from attorneys, must be opened only in the incarcerated person's presence to check for physical contraband and cannot be read. Non legal mail follows MADOC content rules.
Money can be sent through Access Corrections: online at accesscorrections.com; by phone at 866 345 1884 (24/7 in English and Spanish; credit or debit cards only); or by mail (check or money order) to Secure Deposits, Massachusetts DOC, PO Box 12486, St. Louis, MO 63112. A smartphone app is available for Apple and Android users. County Houses of Correction may use different vendors. Contact InmateAid or MADOC at 866 277 7477 to confirm current mail procedures for the specific facility.
Phone: Securus Technologies
Phone calls from Massachusetts state prisons use Securus Technologies. To set up an account to receive calls, contact Securus Technologies at 800 844 6591. Calls are monitored and recorded except for privileged calls to attorneys. Phone rates are subject to the FCC's prison telephone rate caps, expanded in 2024 to cover all facilities regardless of size.
County Houses of Correction use separate phone systems under county sheriff management. InmateAid can help families navigate the Securus account setup and current options for the specific MADOC facility. For the county jail system, contact the specific county sheriff's office.
Tablets: Orijin program in every MADOC facility
The MADOC tablet program, using the Orijin platform, is implemented in every MADOC facility. In 2024, incarcerated individuals spent more than 330,000 hours engaging in educational, vocational, and reentry programming through the tablet initiative, a 10 percent increase in usage compared to 2023. Approximately 5,000 individuals regularly engaged with the devices. MADOC announced the program data in May 2025 in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week.
A separate tablet based tool announced by MADOC helps individuals track their release timelines and prepare for successful return to the community. MADOC's goal is to lead the nation in recidivism reduction through educational programming and skill building. These tablets focus on educational and reentry content rather than general messaging; for family communication, use the phone system or mail.
Visitation: scheduling required, dual system
Visitation at Massachusetts state prisons requires prior scheduling. The first step is to confirm the inmate's facility and custody status by performing an online inmate lookup or calling 866 277 7477. Parties must schedule a visit before going to any MADOC facility. Violation of visiting rules may lead to cancellation of visiting privileges. All visitors must present valid photo identification.
Massachusetts's dual correctional system means that county Houses of Correction, operated by county sheriffs, have their own separate visiting rules and schedules. The rules, addresses, and phone systems are not the same across MADOC state prisons and county Houses of Correction. Contact the specific facility for current visiting hours, procedures, and any scheduling requirements. Contact InmateAid for facility specific visiting information.
The grievance process: 103 CMR 491
Massachusetts codifies the inmate grievance process in Title 103 CMR 491.00, Inmate Grievance Policy. Under Section 491.07(2), MADOC must give inmates unimpeded equal access to the grievance process. An inmate can file a grievance for any reason using the designated Inmate Grievance Form. All inmates, regardless of housing unit, must have access to grievance and appeal forms.
MADOC must provide a response to every grievance. The inmate may then appeal the response by filing the designated Inmate Grievance Appeal Form to the appellate authority, who must respond and make a final determination. For both the grievance process and the sick call process, non English speaking inmates can request translation in up to 140 different languages. If an inmate cannot complete a form because of language or literacy barriers, they can request assistance through their assigned correctional program officer. Staff may not serve as translators; the telephonic interpreter service (103 DOC 488) is available at each inmate library and on the MADOC website. Emergency grievances may be flagged. Grievances must be exhausted before filing a federal civil rights lawsuit. Contact the ACLU of Massachusetts for systemic concerns.
Disciplinary hearings: 103 CMR 430
When a person in Massachusetts state custody is accused of a disciplinary infraction, they are entitled to the minimum due process protections from Wolff v. McDonnell: advance written notice of the charge, a hearing, and a written statement of the evidence and reasons for any sanction. MADOC's disciplinary process is governed by 103 CMR 430.00, Inmate Discipline.
A disciplinary conviction can affect classification under 103 CMR 420.00, housing assignment, program eligibility, visiting access, and parole consideration. Document what happened at any disciplinary hearing, who was present, and what evidence was considered. If the hearing result appears to violate procedural requirements, file a grievance under 103 CMR 491.
PREA and protection from sexual abuse
The Prison Rape Elimination Act applies in all MADOC facilities and in Massachusetts county Houses of Correction. Every person in custody has the right to be free from sexual abuse and sexual harassment by staff and by other incarcerated people. MADOC's website includes a direct link to report a PREA allegation. MADOC must maintain PREA policies, train staff, provide a reporting mechanism, and protect people who report from retaliation.
Reports of sexual abuse or harassment can be made to facility staff, the PREA coordinator, or through external reporting options including the MADOC website at mass.gov/doc. Retaliation against someone who reports is a PREA violation and the basis of a separate complaint. Document every incident, every report made, and any change in housing or treatment that follows a report. Contact the ACLU of Massachusetts for systemic PREA compliance concerns.
Religious practice
People incarcerated in Massachusetts state prisons have the right to religious practice under the First Amendment and the federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. MADOC must accommodate sincere religious beliefs and practices unless it can demonstrate a compelling security interest that cannot be addressed through less restrictive means. Religious programming and chaplaincy services are available in MADOC facilities.
Requests for specific religious accommodations, including dietary adjustments and access to religious items, go through a formal request process at the facility. A denial must rest on a genuine documented security concern. Denials can be challenged through the 103 CMR 491 grievance process and, if unresolved, in federal court under RLUIPA. Document the specific accommodation requested, the reason given for any denial, and every step taken.
ADA and disability accommodations
People with disabilities in Massachusetts state prisons are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. MADOC must provide reasonable accommodations for people with mobility, vision, hearing, cognitive, and other disabilities. Under 103 CMR 491, provisions must be made to ensure equal access to the grievance process for impaired or disabled individuals. Requests for disability accommodations should be submitted in writing to the facility.
A denial or failure to respond can be challenged through the 103 CMR 491 grievance process and, if unresolved, in federal court. Contact Disability Law Center Massachusetts or the ACLU of Massachusetts for systemic disability access concerns. Document every accommodation requested and every response received.
Voting rights: VOTES Act and pending restoration bills
Massachusetts's felony voting rights law is frequently misunderstood. A 2000 constitutional amendment removed the right to vote only while a person is incarcerated for a felony conviction. Voting rights are restored automatically upon release or parole; no petition or waiting period is required. More than 7,300 to 7,700 Massachusetts citizens are currently disenfranchised under this rule.
People serving sentences for misdemeanor convictions in county Houses of Correction CAN vote by absentee ballot. Pretrial detainees who have not been convicted of any offense can vote by absentee ballot. The VOTES Act (enacted 2021 and signed into law as Chapter 29 of the Acts of 2022) guarantees ballot access for eligible voters completing misdemeanor sentences and for people detained pretrial. Bills H 63 and S 7 are currently before the Massachusetts Legislature and would restore voting rights to all incarcerated people regardless of conviction type. Advocates including the Sentencing Project and community organizations have testified in support. Contact the ACLU of Massachusetts or your local election official to confirm eligibility and request an absentee ballot.
Dual system: state prisons vs. Houses of Correction
Massachusetts's dual correctional system is one of the most important distinctions in this guide. MADOC operates state prisons and holds people serving sentences of more than two and a half years (30 months) or sentences specifically committed to MADOC. County sheriffs operate Houses of Correction, which hold people serving sentences up to two and a half years, as well as pretrial detainees. Rules, phone systems, visitation procedures, money transfer vendors, and grievance procedures are not the same between MADOC and county Houses of Correction.
For MADOC state prisons: Securus Technologies for phones, Access Corrections for money, scheduling required for visits, 103 CMR 491 grievance process, and the Orijin tablet program. For county Houses of Correction: contact the specific county sheriff's office for all procedures. Some county jails use Access Corrections; others use different vendors. The dual system means that where a person is housed matters enormously for family communication and access. Contact InmateAid to help navigate the specific system.
The bottom line for Massachusetts
Massachusetts's prison rights landscape is defined by the dual MADOC and county sheriff system, the Orijin tablet program (330,000 hours of educational content in 2024) in every MADOC facility, Securus Technologies for phone calls (800 844 6591), Access Corrections for money deposits (866 345 1884), the 103 CMR 491 grievance process with translation in up to 140 languages, and voting rights suspended only during felony incarceration with automatic restoration upon release or parole.
The rights in this guide are real: adequate medical care under the Eighth Amendment with specific protections for pregnant inmates and postpartum care, mail per MADOC policy with legal mail protection, Access Corrections money deposits and Securus phone access, visit scheduling required with separate county rules, the 103 CMR 491 grievance process with unimpeded equal access and multilingual support that must be exhausted before federal court, due process in disciplinary hearings under 103 CMR 430, PREA protections with direct reporting through mass.gov/doc, religious accommodation, ADA access, and voting rights restored automatically upon release from felony incarceration with misdemeanor inmates and pretrial detainees able to vote by absentee ballot. Document everything, file every grievance, contact the ACLU of Massachusetts for systemic concerns, and stay in contact through InmateAid.
Frequently asked questions
State prison vs. county jail: how do rights differ?
MADOC operates state prisons for sentences over two and a half years; county sheriffs operate Houses of Correction for sentences up to two and a half years and pretrial detention. Rules, phones, visiting, money transfers, and grievance procedures differ. MADOC uses Securus Technologies for phones, Access Corrections for money, and 103 CMR 491 for grievances. County Houses of Correction operate under county sheriff policies with their own procedures. Constitutional rights are the same at both levels. People serving misdemeanor sentences in county jails and pretrial detainees can vote by absentee ballot.
Can incarcerated people vote in Massachusetts?
It depends on the conviction. People serving felony sentences in MADOC state prisons cannot vote while incarcerated; rights are restored automatically upon release or parole. People serving misdemeanor sentences in county Houses of Correction CAN vote by absentee ballot under the VOTES Act (2021). Pretrial detainees who have not been convicted can also vote by absentee ballot. Bills H 63 and S 7 before the Massachusetts Legislature would extend voting rights to all incarcerated people. Contact the ACLU of Massachusetts or your local election official to confirm eligibility.
What is the MADOC tablet program?
The MADOC tablet program, using the Orijin platform, is implemented in every MADOC state prison. In 2024, incarcerated individuals spent more than 330,000 hours on educational, vocational, and reentry programming through the tablets, a 10 percent increase over 2023. About 5,000 individuals regularly engage with the devices. A separate tablet tool helps track release timelines. The tablets focus on educational and reentry content. For family communication, use the phone system or mail rather than the tablet platform.
How does the 103 CMR 491 grievance process work?
Under 103 CMR 491.00, MADOC must give inmates unimpeded equal access to the grievance process. An inmate files the designated Inmate Grievance Form for any reason; MADOC must respond. The inmate can then appeal using the Inmate Grievance Appeal Form to the appellate authority, who makes a final determination. Translation in up to 140 languages is available; staff cannot serve as translators. Emergency grievances can be flagged. All steps must be exhausted before filing a federal civil rights lawsuit.
How do I send money to a MADOC inmate?
Use Access Corrections: online at accesscorrections.com (sign up for an account); by phone at 866 345 1884 (24/7, English and Spanish, credit or debit card only); or by mail to Secure Deposits, Massachusetts DOC, PO Box 12486, St. Louis, MO 63112 (check or money order). A smartphone app is available for Apple and Android devices. County Houses of Correction may use different vendors; contact the specific county sheriff for money transfer instructions.
What is the VOTES Act and how does it affect jail voting?
The VOTES Act (Chapter 29 of the Acts of 2022) guaranteed ballot access for eligible Massachusetts voters completing misdemeanor sentences in county Houses of Correction and for people detained pretrial. This means people in county jails for misdemeanor convictions or awaiting trial CAN request absentee ballots and vote. The law does not apply to people serving felony sentences; bills H 63 and S 7 would extend voting rights to that population. Contact your local election official or the ACLU of Massachusetts to request an absentee ballot if eligible.
What PREA protections exist in Massachusetts prisons?
The Prison Rape Elimination Act applies across all MADOC facilities and Massachusetts county Houses of Correction. MADOC provides a direct link to report a PREA allegation at mass.gov/doc. MADOC must maintain PREA policies, train staff, and protect people who report from retaliation. Reports can be made to facility staff, the PREA coordinator, or through external reporting. Retaliation for reporting is a PREA violation. Contact the ACLU of Massachusetts for systemic PREA compliance concerns.
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