If someone you love is locked up in Massachusetts, the state DOC system does not use a centralized mail scanner. Letters go directly to the facility where the inmate is housed, opened and inspected upon arrival. The key addressing requirement families often miss: every piece of mail must include the inmate's commitment number in the address, not just their name.
Massachusetts also has a formal Attorney Verification System for privileged mail, uses CorrLinks for email at $0.25 per message, and processes deposits through Access Corrections.
This article covers Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) state correctional institutions. Massachusetts county Houses of Correction operate under county sheriffs and are addressed at the end.
Governing regulation: 103 CMR 481.00 (effective November 25, 2022).
Sending mail - letters and correspondence
Mail goes directly to the facility where the inmate is housed. Every piece of mail must include:
The inmate's full name
The inmate's commitment number
The complete address of the correctional facility
Find the inmate's facility and commitment number using the inmate locator at mass.gov/how-to/find-an-inmate-in-a-massachusetts-prison. Find facility mailing addresses at mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-correction/locations.
All incoming non-privileged mail is opened and inspected before delivery. Mail is distributed at least once daily except Sundays and postal holidays.
There is no limitation on the number of people an inmate may correspond with or the number of separate mailings they may send or receive.
If an inmate has been released or transferred, the DOC will forward your mail if possible or return it to you.
What gets mail rejected
Under 103 CMR 481.13, the Deputy Superintendent may disapprove incoming non-privileged mail that falls into these categories:
Weapon or bomb construction or use
Escape methods, or blueprints of correctional facilities
Brewing of alcohol or manufacture of drugs
Written in code
Activities that may lead to physical violence or group disruption
Instructions in criminal activity
Sexually explicit pictorial material or nudity that poses a threat to security, order, or discipline
Facilitates introduction of contraband drugs or other contraband
Excess pages: more than 5 clipped, photocopied, or extracted pages per day may not be attached to personal mail
If mail is rejected, the inmate and the sender are notified in writing. The inmate may appeal to the Superintendent within seven calendar days.
Photocopying at certain facilities
The Commissioner may authorize specific institutions to photocopy all incoming non-privileged mail. If photocopying is authorized at a facility:
Inmates receive a photocopy - or an electronic copy on their tablet - of all authorized non-privileged mail.
Photos from verifiable photo-printing companies (like Shutterfly or Snapfish) do not need to be photocopied and may be sent directly to the facility.
Publications sent directly from publishers are not photocopied - they are delivered in the original format.
Color photocopies are used for colored or crayon drawings, color photographs, and greeting cards using color. Standard black-and-white photocopies are used otherwise.
The Commissioner's authorization for photocopying is facility-specific. Check whether your person's facility currently has photocopying in place before mailing.
Publications - books, magazines, newspapers
Publications may be rejected if they fall into the categories in 103 CMR 481.13. Sexually explicit material and material featuring nudity that poses a threat to security may be excluded. No excluded publication list is maintained - each issue is reviewed individually. An inmate may not receive more than one copy of a particular issue.
Excess pages: up to 5 pages per day clipped, photocopied, or extracted from a publication may be enclosed with personal mail as an attachment. More than 5 pages per day is considered excess and may be disapproved.
Privileged and legal mail - Attorney Verification System
Privileged mail in Massachusetts is sent by or to: judges and court officials; the President, Vice President, or Governor; members of Congress or the Massachusetts General Court; the U.S. or Massachusetts Attorney General; the FBI Director or agents; and the DOC Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and institutional Superintendents.
The DOC has implemented an Attorney Verification System (AVS). Attorneys wishing to send privileged mail must participate in the AVS. Privileged mail complying with the AVS is presumed to contain no contraband. Attorneys may provide self-addressed, meter-stamped envelopes to inmate clients (no postage stamp; not to be altered). Details for attorneys are at mass.gov/info-details/attorney-verification-system-for-privileged-mail.
Incoming privileged mail is opened only in the inmate's presence, inspected for contraband and funds.
Email - CorrLinks
Family and friends can send email to inmates through Secure Mail via CorrLinks at corrlinks.com. Sign up for a free account to get started.
Inmates cannot initiate email contact - they can only respond to people who email them first. Email costs $0.25 per message. If DOC staff reject an email for objectionable content, the fee is not refunded.
Phone calls - Securus Technologies
Inmates have phone access at all Massachusetts prisons. All calls have a flat rate per minute based on whether the call is in-state or out-of-state.
Set up an account or add funds at securustech.net or call 1-800-844-6591.
Sending money - Access Corrections
Access Corrections is the designated deposit service for Massachusetts DOC inmate canteen accounts.
Online or mobile app: accesscorrections.com - Visa or Mastercard. App available on Android and iOS.
By phone: 1-866-345-1884, 24/7 bilingual support.
In person at the facility: drop a check or money order in the "Inmate Funds" box in the facility lobby (call first to verify availability). Money orders over $200 and all personal checks are subject to a 7-business-day hold. Or deposit cash only at CashPayToday locations - register at cashpaytoday.com or call 1-844-340-CASH (2274).
By mail (free lockbox): mail a check or money order with a completed deposit form to:
Secure Deposits - Massachusetts DOC
PO Box 12486
St. Louis, MO 63132
Checks and money orders processed within 48 hours of receipt (excluding weekends and holidays). All check funds are subject to a 10-day hold before being credited. Money order and check deposit forms are available at facility lobbies and at accesscorrections.com.
Government and institutional checks may be accepted on a case-by-case basis if sent directly by the issuer to the inmate. Dual-payee checks will not be accepted.
Massachusetts county Houses of Correction
Massachusetts has 14 county sheriffs, each operating a House of Correction (county jail). County facilities are not part of the Massachusetts DOC and follow their own mail and deposit rules under 103 CMR 948. Contact the specific county sheriff or House of Correction directly for current mail, visit, and deposit rules.
What to know before you send anything
Mail goes directly to the facility - include the inmate's full name, commitment number, and the facility's complete address.
All incoming mail is opened and inspected.
No sexually explicit material, no coded messages, no weapon or escape content. Clippings attached to personal mail are limited to 5 pages per day.
Publications reviewed case-by-case; sexually explicit material excluded. No publication exclusion lists.
Some facilities have Commissioner-authorized photocopying in effect - photos from photo-printing services may still go directly to those facilities.
Privileged mail: attorneys must use the AVS system at mass.gov/info-details/attorney-verification-system-for-privileged-mail.
Email: CorrLinks at corrlinks.com; $0.25/message; inmates can only reply, not initiate.
Phone: Securus Technologies at securustech.net or 1-800-844-6591.
Money: Access Corrections online at accesscorrections.com, by phone at 866-345-1884, CashPayToday in person (cash), or free lockbox mail to PO Box 12486, St. Louis MO 63132.
County facilities have their own rules - contact the specific House of Correction.
Related pages:
/prisons/massachusetts
How to send money to a Massachusetts inmate
Send mail and photos through InmateAid
Arrest Record Search (affiliate)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I mail a letter to a Massachusetts DOC inmate?
Directly to the facility where they are housed. Include the inmate's full name, commitment number, and the facility's complete mailing address. Find both at mass.gov/how-to/find-an-inmate-in-a-massachusetts-prison.
What is the commitment number and why is it required?
The commitment number is the DOC's unique identifier for each incarcerated person. It is required in the mailing address for mail to be properly routed. The inmate's name alone is not sufficient.
Can I send photos?
Yes, as part of a letter or as prints from a photo-printing service. If the facility has Commissioner-authorized photocopying in effect, photos from verifiable photo-printing companies (Shutterfly, Snapfish, etc.) may be sent directly to the facility without photocopying. Check the current status for your person's specific facility.
Can I send books or magazines?
Publications are delivered to inmates and reviewed on a case-by-case basis. No excluded list of publications is maintained. Sexually explicit material may be excluded. An inmate may not receive more than one copy of a particular issue.
How do I send an email?
Through CorrLinks at corrlinks.com. Create a free account. The inmate must respond to your first email - they cannot initiate contact. Each message costs $0.25. Rejected emails are not refunded.
How do I set up phone calls?
Through Securus Technologies at securustech.net or call 1-800-844-6591.
How do I send money?
Through Access Corrections - online at accesscorrections.com, by phone at 866-345-1884, in person at CashPayToday retailers, or by mail to the lockbox at PO Box 12486, St. Louis MO 63132 with a completed deposit form.
What if my person is in a county jail or House of Correction?
County facilities are not part of the Massachusetts DOC. Contact the specific county sheriff or House of Correction directly for their mail and deposit rules. ====================================================================
Stay Connected with InmateAid
Reach Your Loved One in Massachusetts
InmateAid helps families stay in touch. Set up discounted calls, send letters and photos, add money, or send approved magazines - all in one place.