Massachusetts Inmate Search

While the operational capacity of the Massachusetts State's prison facilities is about 8,015, the facilities currently hold around 6,023 inmates statewide. Similarly, at least 7,089 inmates are currently incarcerated in the county correctional facilities, which have a design capacity of 11,226. With about 1,155, 910, and 903 inmates, Suffolk, Plymouth, and Essex Counties, respectively, have the highest number of inmates in Massachusetts.

Generally, an inmate search tool provides detailed information about whether an individual is in custody in Massachusetts. In addition, it can reveal the correctional facility in which such an inmate is housed. With an inmate search tool, friends and family of incarcerated persons in the state may easily access information about their loved ones and help them stay in touch.

What is Massachusetts Inmate Lookup?

Massachusetts inmate lookup involves searching for information about inmates currently held in any of the state's correctional facilities. Anyone may look up inmates incarcerated in the state using VINELink or by calling (866) 277-7477. However, only the Massachusetts Department of Correction (MDOC) and the correctional facilities in Essex County currently participate in the state's VINE program.

Inmate lookup services generally enhance transparency in the administration of correctional facilities. For instance, with a Massachusetts inmate lookup, anyone may access information such as an inmate's name, charges leading to their incarceration, their current status, the exact location in which they are currently held, and court dates.

Furthermore, inmate lookup in the state may provide information about a prison facility's visitation schedule, which can generally help inmates' family and friends plan their visits to the correctional facilities. Such visitations generally facilitate a means of support for inmates' families as it helps them maintain frequent contact with their loved ones in prison, and ultimately keep their family bonds, while also keeping them from being unnecessarily anxious about their welfare or safety.

What Information Can You Find in a Massachusetts Inmate Search?

Individuals who conduct inmate searches in Massachusetts will typically find the following information:

• Inmate's full name
• Inmate's date of birth
• Custody status
• Correctional facility of incarceration's location
• Inmate's ID number
• Gender

How Are Inmate Records in Massachusetts Created and Stored?

Massachusetts inmate records are created by local police, county Sheriff's Offices, and correctional institutions as the prisoners move through the justice system. The first entry is a RAP sheet that is filled out by the arresting officer. It includes the person's name, address, phone number, physical description, and details about their crime. This form is most often accompanied by a mug shot as well. Then as the inmate is moved to a new facility or attends a hearing or trial, the files get updated.

In Massachusetts, the state's Department of Corrections (MDOC) maintains and stores inmate records. The MDOC provides access to a central database of all inmates so that friends, family, and the general public can conduct an inmate lookup at any time of day or night.

What Does Massachusetts's Prison System Look Like?

Massachusetts's state prison system comprises 13 state-run correctional institutions overseen by the state's Department of Correction (MDOC). These facilities offer custody services, care, and programming for individuals under MDOC's supervision in a bid to prepare them for seamless re-entry into the society upon release. Massachusetts's state-run prisons are evenly distributed in different parts of the Commonwealth.

At least 4,600 employees work in the various state-run prison facilities across the Commonwealth. As of 2023, the Massachusetts prison system under the MDOC had an operational capacity of 9,518 and an average daily custody population of 5,965. State-run correctional facilities in the commonwealth are categorized into varying security levels, namely the minimum, pre-release, medium, and maximum security prisons.

The minimum-security prisons in Massachusetts generally hold inmates who pose no significant security risk, while the pre-release level is where inmates who require no direct supervision are usually held. Although inmates incarcerated in medium-security prisons in Massachusetts may have demonstrated a readiness to adhere to institutional rules, they may still pose a risk to security. On the other hand, the maximum-security correctional facilities in the Commonwealth hold inmates who need direct and constant supervision and pose a severe risk to security.

Types of Correctional Facilities in Massachusetts

The state of Massachusetts has 13 state prisons. Each houses a different demographic and has specific levels of custody. The Massachusetts Department of Corrections oversees each of these facilities along with the reentry programs and services. The Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS) oversees the six regional juvenile detention centers that house and educate youth offenders. The state also has one federal prison holding inmates who have violated federal laws. Many counties in Massachusetts also have county jails to hold suspects awaiting trial.

Massachusetts State Prisons

The state of Massachusetts has 13 state prisons. Each serves a different demographic and has various custody levels. A couple of facilities also offer mental health and substance abuse treatment. Below is the list of all prison facilities in Massachusetts:

• Boston Pre-Release Center
• Bridgewater State Hospital
• Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Correctional Unit
• MASAC at Plymouth
• MCI-Framingham
• MCI-Norfolk
• MCI-Shirley
• Massachusetts Treatment Center
• North Central Correctional Institution
• Northeastern Correctional Center
• Old Colony Correctional Center
• Pondville Correctional Center
• Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center

Massachusetts County Jails

Massachusetts has 17 county jails, and these jails are operated and managed by local county Sheriff's Offices. Local jails hold pretrial detainees and inmates who have been sentenced to short-term stays for their punishment. Many of the local Sheriff's Offices and police stations have jail inmate search portals where members of the public may look up individuals incarcerated in county jail facilities. Massachusetts county jails managed by the county sheriff's offices are listed below:

• Barnstable County Correctional Facility
• Berkshire County Jail and House of Correction
• Bristol County Jail
• Bristol County Jail and House of Correction
• Dukes County Jail and House of Correction
• Essex County Correctional Facility
• Essex County Alternative Center
• Franklin County Jail and House of Correction
• Hampden County Jail and House of Correction
• Western MA Regional Women's Correctional Center
• Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction
• Middlesex County Jail & House of Correction
• Norfolk County Correctional Center
• Plymouth County Correctional Facility
• Suffolk County House of Correction
• Suffolk County Jail
• Worcester County Jail and House of Correction

Massachusetts Juvenile Detention Centers

The Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS) is the agency in charge of juvenile justice and oversees all youth detention centers in the state. These facilities hold youth between the ages of 12 and 21 who have been adjudicated as youthful offenders, delinquents, or placed in DYS' detention programs while awaiting a future court date. They provide education, rehabilitation, victim services, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. The juvenile detention facilities in Massachusetts include the following:

• DYS Central Office
• DYS Central Regional Office
• DYS Metro Regional Office
• DYS Northeast Regional Office
• DYS Southeast Regional Office
• DYS Western Regional Office

Individuals interested in conducting juvenile inmate searches in Massachusetts may contact each of the DYS offices.

Massachusetts Community Correctional Facilities

The Massachusetts Office of Community Corrections (OCC) oversees the state's community correctional facilities and generally operates under two major initiatives. These are the statewide network of Community Justice Support Centers (CJSC) and the Trial Court Community Service Program.

The Trial Court Community Service Program maintains public safety by organizing closely monitored community work services as an intermediate sanction to the state criminal justice system. Currently, there are 13 community service program offices in Massachusetts.

While attendance at the Community Justice Support Centers (CJSC) may be a condition of pre-release supervision or parole, it is typically ordered by the court per Section 3, Chapter 211F of the Massachusetts General Laws. The state currently has 18 community justice support centers. The 15 different programs at the CJSC are designed to improve participating offenders' lives and help them avoid further involvement in the state's criminal justice system.

Why are People Incarcerated in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, individuals are incarcerated for several types of offenses, which are largely categorized as person, sex, drug, and property offenses. While person and sex offenses are generally regarded as violent crimes, drug, property, and other types of mild offenses are considered non-violent.

Person offenses that basically lead to incarceration in Massachusetts include murder, armed robbery, manslaughter, assault, battery, attempted murder, extortion, kidnapping, carjacking, home invasion, stalking, and vehicular homicide. On the other hand, sex offenses include rape, rape and abuse of a child, aggravated rape, incest, sexual assault, violations of sex offender registry, assault with intent to commit rape, and indecent assault and battery of a child under 14.

In Massachusetts, property offenses such as arson, unarmed burglary or breaking and entering, stealing/larceny, theft, fraud, shoplifting, embezzlement, possession of burglary tools, destruction of property, and receiving stolen goods may lead to incarceration. Drug offenses generally include unlawful possession, manufacture, distribution, dispensing (or intent), and use of restricted substances as defined by state law.

Anyone interested in conducting an inmate search to find out why a person is being incarcerated in a Massachusetts correctional facility can look up the inmate on VINELink. The state's Department of Correction (MDOC) generally promotes public safety by incarcerating violent offenders and providing programming and care in preparation for inmates' successful reentry into society. In addition, its focus is rehabilitating non-violent offenders by effecting positive behavioral change in them through various programs.

Massachusetts's Incarceration Rate and Statistics

Massachusetts recorded the lowest incarceration rate in 2022 in recent years. As of December 2022, the rate of incarceration in the state was 94 persons per 100,000 total population, with about 6,070 inmates in the custody of the Department of Correction (MDOC). This was a 2.7% decline from year-end 2021, when the state had about 6,236 inmates in custody.

The table below shows Massachusetts's year-end incarceration rate over a 7-year period.

Life After Incarceration in Massachusetts

Inmates released from Massachusetts prisons and jails generally go home to family or friends. Although the state has a healthy parole and probation program, they do not have any reentry facilities to hold inmates while they transition back into society. The state does, however, offer reentry programs and re-entry planning for inmates who have already been released to help with things like finding employment and housing, drug or alcohol issues, and mental health treatment. They also offer programs to help with parenting classes, anger management, and education.

Despite Massachusetts's efforts to ensure the smooth reentry of released inmates back into society, the state ranks 27th in recidivism rate. At least 32% of inmates released from the state's correctional facilities commit a repeat offense, and many of them returned to prison after arrest.

How Does Parole Work in Massachusetts?

The Massachusetts parole board reviews each inmate's progress, and when they feel a prisoner is rehabilitated and not a danger to society, they may release them early before finishing their sentence. When this happens, the inmate is given a list of stipulations they must comply with. If the inmate does not check in regularly with their parole officer or violates any of the other rules, they will return to prison to finish out their sentences. As of December 2022, Massachusetts parole population stood at 1,660.

Massachusetts Parole Population in 2022

How Does Someone Get Probation in Massachusetts?

Probation is a supervisory program where a Massachusetts judge can order probation instead of prison. This privilege is most often given to first-time or low-risk offenders. Again, these individuals do have to comply with a list of court-ordered rules. If they fail to meet with the probation officer or complete any of the other terms of their probation, it will be revoked, and they will immediately go to prison. About 41,550 individuals were on probation in Massachusetts as of year-end 2022.

Massachusetts Probation Population in 2022