QUICK FACTS BAR
State DOC: Massachusetts Department of Correction (MADOC)
Parole Board: Massachusetts Parole Board
Medicaid expansion: YES (full expansion - pre-ACA, Massachusetts had its own expansion since 2006 "RomneyCare")
Voting rights: Restored upon release from prison - people on parole CAN vote in Massachusetts (since 2000 constitutional amendment)
SNAP drug felony ban: Full opt-out - no ban regardless of conviction
Expungement / Sealing: Strong - Massachusetts CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) sealing framework is one of the more developed in New England; most misdemeanors and felonies eligible after waiting periods; petition-based and some automatic provisions
Ban the box: Public AND private employers - Massachusetts CORI reform covers most employers; also bail-banned state
INTRO
Massachusetts restored voting rights to people on parole in 2000 through a constitutional amendment - the moment you leave a Massachusetts correctional facility, your right to vote is restored. Massachusetts has had Medicaid expansion since 2006 - predating the ACA - and the state's healthcare coverage infrastructure is among the most developed in the country. Massachusetts is a bail-banned state. The CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) sealing framework is one of the more mature record relief systems in the country, covering most misdemeanors and felony categories after waiting periods. The statewide CORI reform ban-the-box law covers most private employers. The reentry service infrastructure is the most developed in Boston (Suffolk County) and the Greater Boston area (Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex counties). Worcester (Worcester County), Springfield (Hampden County), and Fall River/New Bedford (Bristol County) have secondary networks. Western Massachusetts (Berkshire County) has limited but developing resources. Rural central and western Massachusetts has limited organized services.
FIRST 30 DAYS CHECKLIST
Day 1-3:
Report to your Massachusetts Parole Board officer or MADOC probation officer as directed. The Parole Board administers parole; the Office of Community Corrections administers probation. Report on the scheduled date.
Day 1-3:
Register to vote. Massachusetts restored voting rights to parolees in 2000 - you can vote the day you leave a Massachusetts correctional facility. Register at registertovote.sec.state.ma.us. Massachusetts has same-day registration during early voting.
Day 1-7:
Obtain your Massachusetts state ID or driver's license. Massachusetts RMV: mass.gov/rmv. MADOC provides a state ID to qualifying individuals at release. Bring: birth certificate or MADOC ID, Social Security card, and proof of Massachusetts residency.
Day 1-14:
Apply for MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid). Most low-income adults qualify - Massachusetts has had healthcare near-universal coverage since 2006. Apply at mahix.org or call 1-800-841-2900.
Day 1-14:
Apply for SNAP (Massachusetts SNAP). Massachusetts has fully opted out of the federal drug felony ban. Apply at dtaconnect.eohhs.mass.gov or your local Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) office.
ID RESTORATION
Birth certificate:
Massachusetts Registry of Vital Records - mass.gov/orgs/registry-of-vital-records-and-statistics. Cost: $20 per copy. MADOC assists with pre-release birth certificate requests.
Social Security card:
SSA.gov/ssnumber. Free.
State ID / Driver's License:
Massachusetts RMV - mass.gov/rmv. Cost: $25 for ID card. MADOC provides state IDs at release.
ID Assistance Programs:
Greater Boston Legal Services (gbls.org) in Boston. Massachusetts Legal Help (masslegalhelp.org) statewide. Volunteer Lawyers Project (vlpboston.org).
VOTING RIGHTS
Massachusetts restored voting rights to parolees in 2000. The moment you leave a Massachusetts correctional facility, your rights are restored. People on probation have always been able to vote.
People currently incarcerated in a Massachusetts correctional facility cannot vote.
Register at registertovote.sec.state.ma.us. Same-day registration during early voting. Massachusetts also allows mail voting.
BENEFITS ACCESS
MASSHEALTH (MEDICAID):
Massachusetts has had near-universal healthcare coverage since the 2006 "RomneyCare" legislation that preceded the ACA. Most low-income adults qualify for MassHealth. Apply at mahix.org or call 1-800-841-2900. MADOC has pre-release MassHealth enrollment efforts.
SNAP (Massachusetts DTA SNAP):
Full opt-out. Apply at dtaconnect.eohhs.mass.gov.
TANF (Massachusetts TAFDC/EAEDC): Full opt-out.
Housing:
Massachusetts is a bail-banned state. Federal RRCs under BOP RRM Boston (covers MA, ME, CT, RI, VT, NH). State-supervised reentry housing through MADOC contracts and nonprofits. Greater Boston has by far the most developed reentry housing network in the state. Worcester, Springfield, and the South Coast have secondary networks.
CORI SEALING AND RECORD RELIEF
Massachusetts CORI Sealing (MGL c. 276 § 100A):
Massachusetts uses the CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) framework for record sealing - one of the more developed systems in the country.
What is eligible:
- Arrests without conviction: eligible immediately or after 1 year depending on circumstances
- Misdemeanor convictions: eligible 3 years from conviction or release (whichever is later) with no new convictions
- Felony convictions: eligible 7 years from conviction or release with no new convictions - this covers a broad range of felony categories
- Multiple conviction sealing: Massachusetts allows sealing of multiple convictions on a single petition - a significant advantage over states with one-conviction limits
- Automatic sealing: Massachusetts has enacted some automatic sealing provisions for lower-level offenses
What CANNOT be sealed: Sex offenses, murder, manslaughter, and certain other serious offenses. Most other categories are eligible.
Effect: Sealed CORI records are not accessible to most employers, landlords, or the public. Law enforcement and courts retain access. The person can answer "no" for most criminal history questions.
Legal resources:
- Greater Boston Legal Services: gbls.org / (617) 603-1700
- Massachusetts Legal Help: masslegalhelp.org - statewide self-help tools
- Volunteer Lawyers Project: vlpboston.org / (617) 423-0648
EMPLOYMENT AND LICENSING
CORI Reform - Ban the Box (MGL c. 151B):
Massachusetts CORI reform law prohibits employers with 6 or more employees from asking about criminal history on initial job applications. After the interview stage, employers may access CORI information. The law is administered by the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).
Occupational licensing: Massachusetts has enacted licensing reform. Many boards now conduct individualized assessments.
Employment assistance:
- MassHire: masshirestatewide.com - statewide workforce development with MassHire Career Centers in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and elsewhere
KEY MASSACHUSETTS REENTRY ORGANIZATIONS
Roca, Inc.
rocainc.org / (617) 623-9990 / Chelsea (Greater Boston, statewide reach)
Evidence-based reentry and intervention services for young men in Greater Boston and beyond. One of the most recognized reentry organizations in the country for outcome-based models.
Volunteers of America Massachusetts
voamass.org / (617) 523-8902 / Boston
Transitional housing, reentry services, and substance abuse treatment in Greater Boston. Federal RRC operator.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston
ccab.org / (617) 542-3679 / Boston
Social services and reentry support across the Boston metro area.
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS)
gbls.org / (617) 603-1700 / Boston (Greater Boston)
Free civil legal services including CORI sealing, housing, and reentry legal needs in eastern Massachusetts.
Community Legal Aid
communitylegal.org / (508) 752-3718 / Worcester (central and western MA)
Free civil legal services including CORI sealing and reentry legal needs in central and western Massachusetts.
MADOC Reentry Services
mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-correction/reentry
Official MADOC reentry coordination. Pre-release programming and community resource connections.
STATE DOC REENTRY PROGRAMS
MADOC Reentry:
MADOC operates pre-release programming across all institutions including education, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment. The Community Corrections division coordinates the transition to parole and probation supervision.
HALFWAY HOUSES LINK BLOCK
Find halfway houses and reentry housing in Massachusetts ->
inmateaid.com/halfway-houses/massachusetts/
Federal RRCs under BOP RRM Boston (covers MA, ME, CT, RI, VT, NH). Greater Boston has the highest concentration of reentry housing options in Massachusetts. Worcester, Springfield, and the South Coast have secondary networks.
Massachusetts is a bail-banned state - no commercial bail bonds operate.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I vote in Massachusetts if I'm on parole?
A: Yes. Massachusetts restored voting rights to parolees in 2000 - you can vote the day you leave a Massachusetts correctional facility. Register at registertovote.sec.state.ma.us. Same-day registration is available during early voting.
Q: Can my Massachusetts felony conviction be sealed?
A: Yes - most felony convictions are eligible for CORI sealing after 7 years from conviction or release from incarceration with no new convictions. Multiple convictions can be sealed on a single petition. Sex offenses and murder are not eligible. Contact Greater Boston Legal Services (gbls.org) in eastern MA or Community Legal Aid (communitylegal.org) in western MA for a free evaluation.
Q: How do I apply for MassHealth (Medicaid) after prison?
A: Apply at mahix.org or call 1-800-841-2900. Massachusetts has had near-universal healthcare coverage since 2006 and most returning citizens qualify. Ask your MADOC case manager whether you have been pre-enrolled before release.
Q: Does Massachusetts ban the box for private employers?
A: Yes - employers with 6 or more employees cannot ask about criminal history on initial job applications under the CORI reform law. After the interview stage, employers may conduct a CORI check. MassHire Career Centers (masshirestatewide.com) connect returning citizens to employers who hire people with records. TruthFinder WIDGET Search Massachusetts inmate and arrest records INTERNAL LINKS - inmateaid.com/halfway-houses/massachusetts/ - inmateaid.com/reentry/ - inmateaid.com/reentry/myths-and-facts/ EXTERNAL LINKS (new tab) - mass.gov/doc - mahix.org - registertovote.sec.state.ma.us - mass.gov/rmv - masslegalhelp.org - masshirestatewide.com - findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov SCHEMA BreadcrumbList + FAQPage DATA SOURCES Voting rights: Massachusetts Constitution Amendment Art. 3 (2000) / sec.state.ma.us; ccresourcecenter.org Medicaid: Massachusetts healthcare reform 2006 ("RomneyCare") + ACA expansion; kff.org SNAP: ccresourcecenter.org full opt-out confirmed CORI Sealing: MGL c. 276 § 100A; CORI reform 2010 + subsequent expansions / masslegalhelp.org Ban the box: MGL c. 151B § 4(9A) (CORI reform) / MCAD Bail abolition: Massachusetts pretrial reform / bail_banned = true BOP RRM: RRM Boston covers MA, ME, CT, RI, VT, NH