SPOKE ARTICLE - Parole and Probation by State series - MASSACHUSETTS

Parole and Probation in Massachusetts

If someone you love is on parole or probation in Massachusetts, or if you have just gotten out and are trying to understand what is expected of you, this guide is written for both of you. Massachusetts has two entirely separate supervision agencies with different histories and different governing authorities, and understanding which one handles your person is the key to getting anything done. Massachusetts also has the distinction of enacting the first parole law in the United States, back in 1837, and the first probation service in the nation, in the 1870s. Today the state makes calls from all state prisons and county jails free of charge, which matters for every family in the system.

Two separate agencies: the most important thing to know

In most states, parole and probation are handled by the same department or at least closely connected agencies. In Massachusetts they are run by two different branches of government with no organizational overlap.

The Massachusetts Parole Board is an agency within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, part of the executive branch. It handles all parole release decisions, sets parole conditions, supervises parolees through its Field Services Division, and provides reentry services. The Parole Board reports through the governor's administration.

The Massachusetts Probation Service is a division of the Massachusetts Trial Court, part of the judicial branch. It is the oldest probation service in the country. It supervises people on probation across all court levels, the eight Boston Municipal Courts, 62 District Courts, 12 Superior Courts, and 11 Juvenile Courts, as well as providing services through Probate and Family Courts. Probation officers are Trial Court employees.

These agencies do not share supervision. If your person is on parole, you deal with the Parole Board. If they are on probation, you deal with the Trial Court and a probation officer who works for the court, not the executive branch. Getting this distinction right saves time and prevents confusion.

Parole vs. probation: what is the difference

Parole is release from state or county incarceration before the sentence ends, granted by the Parole Board for people serving sentences of 60 days or more. The board conducts face-to-face hearings, votes on release, sets conditions, and supervises through its Field Services Division.

Probation is a sentence served in the community rather than in a correctional facility, imposed by a court. Courts set probation conditions. The Massachusetts Probation Service supervises probationers through its probation officers.

How to find someone in Massachusetts

For people in state DOC custody, the Massachusetts Department of Correction runs a public inmate locator searchable by name or ID number. It covers people held in state prisons and some community statuses; it does not include most county jail inmates or recent arrests that have not yet moved to DOC custody. State-level phone assistance is available at (617) 660-4600 during business hours.

For people in county facilities, Massachusetts has 14 counties each with its own house of correction run by the county sheriff. County facilities are not in the DOC search. Each county sheriff maintains its own roster; contact the relevant sheriff's office or county house of correction directly.

VINELink participation in Massachusetts is limited. Only the state DOC and Essex County Sheriff's Office participate in the VINE system. The other 13 county sheriffs are not connected. If your person is in a state DOC facility or Essex County, you can register at VINELink for automated status notifications. For all other counties, contact the facility directly.

How parole works in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Parole Board has decisional authority for all parole matters in the Commonwealth. People serving sentences of 60 days or more in state or county correctional facilities are eligible for parole consideration, subject to statutory exclusions. The board conducts face-to-face hearings, providing the person an opportunity to speak, and has strong victim notification and participation practices.

Massachusetts enacted its first parole law in 1837, making it the oldest continuous parole system in the country. The Board hears thousands of cases annually and supervises over 8,000 parolees at any given time.

Parole eligibility timing varies by sentence and offense. Once released, standard conditions include regular reporting to a parole agent through the Board's Field Services Division, remaining in Massachusetts without permission to travel, no new criminal conduct, drug and alcohol testing, and compliance with any special conditions. A monthly supervision fee, generally around $30, is charged to parolees unless waived.

The Parole Board also provides reentry services to individuals leaving custody with no mandated post-release supervision, recognizing that the transition from incarceration is difficult even for those not required to report to anyone.

Violations of parole are handled by the Parole Board, which can revoke parole and return a person to custody.

How probation works in Massachusetts

Probation in Massachusetts is imposed by the court at sentencing and supervised by the Massachusetts Probation Service through probation officers assigned to each court. Massachusetts Probation supervises more than 40,000 individuals across the court system.

Conditions are set by the sentencing judge and spelled out in the probation order. Standard conditions include regular reporting to a probation officer, remaining in Massachusetts, no new criminal conduct, drug and alcohol testing, and payment of restitution. Special conditions are set by the court based on the offense and individual circumstances.

The Probation Service operates 18 Community Justice Support Centers across the state that offer case management, counseling, drug and alcohol testing, job training and placement, and more for higher-risk individuals. The Service also has a Victim Services Unit providing court accompaniment and notification for victims.

A probation violation is brought back to the sentencing court, which holds a revocation hearing. The court can modify conditions, continue probation, or revoke and impose a custody sentence.

Free calls from all Massachusetts facilities

Massachusetts made all calls from state prisons and county houses of correction free under the No Cost Communications law, effective December 1, 2023. Governor Healey signed the legislation making Massachusetts the fifth state in the nation to provide free calls, and the first to extend that to all county jails as well. There is no cap on the number of calls a person can make. Calls are available between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

As of early 2026, the program is under fiscal scrutiny. An Inspector General investigation was underway regarding cost overruns, and some legislators were considering modifications. The program remains in operation. If anything changes with the free calls program, verify the current status at the time you need this information.

Reporting and your supervision officer

This section is for the person on supervision. The key practical point: know which agency you report to. Parole means the Parole Board's Field Services Division and a parole agent. Probation means the Trial Court and a probation officer at your sentencing court.

Know your conditions. Read the parole certificate or probation order and keep a copy. Know your reporting schedule. Ask before you miss anything.

Contact before you act. Travel, address changes, job changes: anything that touches your conditions requires your officer's or agent's approval first.

For families: contact the Parole Board's Field Services Division to find a parole agent. Contact the probation department of the court that sentenced your person to find the probation officer.

Violations: what families should know

For parole violations, the Parole Board handles revocation. A violation can result in return to custody.

For probation violations, the sentencing court holds the hearing. The court can modify conditions, continue probation, or revoke and impose custody time. The standard of proof is lower than at a criminal trial.

In both cases: get an attorney involved immediately. Document mitigating circumstances. Show up to hearings.

Early termination and getting off supervision

For parole, the Parole Board can discharge a person from supervision before the sentence expires when supervision is no longer needed.

For probation, a person can petition the sentencing court for early termination. Courts consider compliance, payment of restitution, and whether continued supervision serves a purpose.

Massachusetts has a separate record sealing and expungement process. Getting off supervision is not the same as sealing or expunging a record. A criminal defense attorney is the right resource for those questions.

- See every prison and jail in Massachusetts: /prisons/massachusetts

- Send mail or photos to someone in Massachusetts: InmateAid mail and photos service

- Send money to someone in Massachusetts: InmateAid send money

- Search arrest records in Massachusetts: Arrest Record Search (honestly labeled affiliate)