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MA DOC – MASAC at Plymouth basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 508-291-2441
This facility is for adult inmates.
The inmates housed at MASAC-Plymouth located at 1 Bump Pond Rd in South Carver, MA are placed according to their custody level (determined by a number of factors including the past criminal history and the length of their sentence). There are ample educational and vocational training programs for all inmates, especially ones that show a willingness to learn new things that will prepare them for a better life when they are released. The mission is to promote and prepare the offender to leave in better shape than when they arrived, giving them the best chance to never come back and thus lower the state's recidivism rate.
Correctional staff strives to set a high level of excellence, which reflects their commitment to operating a safe, clean and humane environment for all staff and inmates. All inmates work in a variety of job assignments at the facility and in the community on supervised work crews. Job assignments are intended to provide the offender with opportunities for positive behavioral change while developing work skills and dependable work ethics. Through the work crew program, inmates provide community reparation through agreements with local towns and State agencies such as the MA Highway Department and the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Plymouth has traditionally housed minimum-security inmates until they opened their Pre-Release component which is a continued reduction in an inmate's security level. Through the use of assessments and guidelines, inmates who are within 18 months of their parole eligibility or release dates are eligible to participate in work release in the community. Inmates are allowed to work in the community and earn a paycheck. There are policies in place to determine what jobs will be available with the appropriate supervision. This program promotes successful reintegration back into society.
Inmates continue their re-entry planning while at the facility. To complement their efforts several programs are available to ensure they are adequately prepared for the transition from prison life into the community. Programs include the Thinking for A Change, Public Safety Transition Program, GED, ABE, ESL, Automotive Program, AA meetings, NA meetings, and various religious services.
The facility has greatly changed since it was constructed in 1952 as Restoration Camp #1 at the Myles Standish State Forest. It operated as a prison camp into the 1950s when it became MCI-Plymouth. By 1967, work programs were established in the correctional system and its role continues to change and offer unique opportunities for the inmates. Through the years, many construction projects and renovations have led to the modern and effective community correctional facility it is today.
Programs Available at This Facility
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings with DYS: Volunteer and staff facilitated program during which AA meetings are conducted between Department of Correction inmates and Department of Youth Services (DYS) juveniles in the hope that the DYS juveniles will receive a clearer perception of what continued use of substance abuse and criminal activity could lead to. This program is facilitated at MCI Plymouth.
Cooperative Parenting Project Program: Developed by the Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Unit, this program targets single fathers with child support issues. This program is facilitated at Boston Pre-release Center and MCI Plymouth.
HIV/AIDS Education: Programming ranges from basic education and awareness to support groups for inmates who are HIV positive. Instructors include vendor and Department staff, volunteers and inmates. This program is facilitated at Bay State Correctional Center, Boston Pre-release Center, MCI Framingham, MCI Norfolk, MCI Plymouth, MCI Shirley, North Central Correctional Institution, North Central Correctional Institution – Minimum Unit, Old Colony Correctional Center, Pondville Correctional Center and Souza Baranowski Correctional Center.
National Education for Assistant Dog Services-Puppy Program: An 18-month program designed to utilize inmate handlers to teach dogs basic obedience and other skills needed to prepare them for future "careers" as Service Dogs assisting people who are physically disabled. Following their training with the inmates, the dogs will then learn the more advanced Service Dog skills at NEADS' National Assistance Dog Training Campus in Princeton, MA. This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham, North Central Correctional Center – Minimum Unit, Northeastern Correctional Center, Pondville Correctional Center and MCI Plymouth.
Parenting/Family Services: Volunteers and staff provide programs, which range from skill building, basic education, and reintegration information to support groups. This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham, MCI Norfolk, MCI Plymouth, MCI Shirley, North Central Correctional Institution, North Central Correctional Institution – Minimum Unit, Northeastern Correctional Center, South Middlesex Correctional Center and Souza Baranowski Correctional Center.
Self Help/Twelve Step Programs: Volunteer facilitated substance abuse support groups based on abstinence. Self Help/Twelve-step programming includes Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Al Anon. Programming is available in both Spanish and English. This program is facilitated at Bay State Correctional Center, Boston Pre-release Center, Bridgewater State Hospital, Massachusetts Treatment Center, MCI Concord, MCI Framingham, MCI Norfolk, MCI Plymouth, MCI Shirley, North Central Correctional Institution, North Central Correctional Institution – Minimum Unit, Northeastern Correctional Center, Old Colony Correctional Center, Old Colony Correctional Center – Minimum Unit, Pondville Correctional Center, South Middlesex Correctional Center and Souza Baranowski Correctional Center.
visitation Info
MASAC at Plymouth – Visitation
Visiting Periods and Limitations
Wednesday & Friday
6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. (All Inmates)
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
No Visits
Saturday
12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Inmate Last Names ending A-L)
6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. (All Inmates)
Sunday
12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Inmate Last Names ending M-Z)
6:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. (All Inmates)
Holidays
12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
A. Visitors may only be listed on one (1) inmate's visiting card at a time.
B. Visits are normally limited to four (4) adults and three (3) children (under 18) per inmate, per visiting period. (Exceptions shall be considered with sufficient prior request to the Superintendent) The Shift Commander reserves the right to limit the number or length of visits in the event of crowding or other justifiable circumstances. There shall be no limitations on the number of weekly visits an inmate may have.
C. All children (under 18) must be accompanied by a parent and must bring their birth certificate. Children visiting with an adult who is not their parent or guardian must also present a completed notarized "Minor Request Form" (Appendix A) which demonstrates that he/she has the consent of a parent or legal guardian. The request must be approved by the Superintendent prior to any visits.
D. Ex-offenders shall be required to obtain the approval of the Superintendent prior to visiting. Normally such approval shall not be considered within six (6) months of release. Appendix B should be completed and sent to the Superintendent.
E. MASAC at Plymouth disciplinary sanctions state that an inmate may be prohibited from family or other visits while on room detention, or during period of loss of visits for a disciplinary sanction. It is the inmate's responsibility to make timely notifications to family or other visits when a disciplinary sanction prohibits visits.
F. If an inmate leaves the visiting area, the visit is considered terminated.
G. Inmates are not to take any items into or out of the visiting area except their own DebitCard.
H. 103 CMR 483 Inmate Visiting policy states in part "No child who was a victim of the inmate's offense shall be authorized to visit without the authorization of the Commissioner or a designee." To address this provision, MASAC at Plymouth Classification staff will review the official versions of new inmate arrivals (those convicted of crimes against the person) to determine if a minor child was the victim of the inmate's crime. In the event this is the case (e.g. a minor child was the victim of the inmate's crime), Classification staff will notify the MASAC at Plymouth Control Center staff to enter a notation on the inmate's Visiting Card that the minor child in question is prohibited from visiting with this inmate.
Designated Visiting Areas
UPPER CAMP
Indoor Visits: Inmate Dining Room
Attorney Visits: C-Dorm Day Room or a private area designated by the Shift Commander.
LOWER CAMP
Outdoor Visits – Pondside visiting area (Seasonal)
Outdoor visits will be held on weekends during the afternoon period only (1:00 PM – 3:45 PM). The Shift Commander shall designate the visiting area to be utilized based upon the weather conditions and operational needs.
Identification, Sign-In and Processing Requirements
A. Before being admitted to the facility, a visitor shall be required to produce identification, which, in the opinion of the admitting officer(s) is adequate. A current photographic identification, such as a Massachusetts driver's license or a passport or an identification card issued by the Department of Transitional Assistance shall be sufficient. The superintendent or a designee may make exceptions.
B. All non-DOC employees and all full-time DOC employees not assigned to MCI-Plymouth are required to turn in picture identification upon entering MCI-Plymouth. These categories include: training, CRA Program, Spectrum employees, education instructors, volunteers, technical liaisons, inmate telephone system employees, DOC Property Officer, service/maintenance contractors, delivery people, vending machine personnel, chaplains, ministers, etc. Identifications shall be returned upon leaving MCI-Plymouth.
C. No visitor under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants, shall be allowed on institutional property. Any visitor with the odor of alcohol on his/her breath shall not be allowed on the property.
D. All visitors are responsible to be familiar with MCI-Plymouth visiting procedures and assure compliance. These rules and regulations shall be strictly enforced. Criminal history backgrounds are performed on all visitors.
E. Upon entering MCI-Plymouth property, all visitors shall proceed directly to the Control Center for processing and complete a visiting form (Appendix C). All questions should be answered truthfully and any questions should be directed to staff. Vehicles shall be locked at all times while unattended. Any visitor wishing to return to their vehicle during the visiting period shall not be allowed to return to the visiting room unless specific permission is requested and approved by the Shift Commander.
F. Visitors shall be processed on a "first come, first served" basis. This shall be accomplished by assigning a number to each visiting slip when it is submitted to the officer in the Control Center.
G. Upon signing in, all visits shall be reminded of searches at the Control Center. Visitors shall be asked to empty their pockets and allow a search of their coat pockets and search those personal effects (i.e., diaper bags). This shall take place upon entering the Dining Room Visiting Area or Lower Camp Visiting Yard.
H. Handicap parking is available in the designated areas: lower camp parking lot and the upper camp along side the inmate dining room. Requirements are: valid handicap registration plate/placard, or approval by the Superintendent and/or his designee.
I. The Control Center Officer shall be responsible for notifying the inmate that he has a visit. Visitors are to report to the Visiting Officer prior to entering the visiting area.
J. No visitor/inmate contact is permitted until the visitor has completed the visitor processing procedure in the Sign-in Point and the Visiting Room.
K. The Superintendent reserves the right to restrict or cancel visiting periods in the event of institution emergencies, extreme weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances. Visitors may call in advance (Area Code: (508) 291-2441 X-3301 to verify if these conditions apply.
L. The Superintendent may, from time to time, establish additional or alternative visiting periods for special events or functions which visitors may attend. Advance notification shall be posted for such activities.
M. Any visitor requesting to breast-feed their child will be afforded the opportunity to do so in a private area. At MASAC at Plymouth, the area designated for this activity is the Medical Interview Office.
Personal Effects
A. All visitors are expected to leave personal effects, including money and pocketbooks securely locked in their vehicles or in the visitor lockers. Transaction for vending machine Debitcards must be conducted at the Control Center during the sign in process. Inmates are not allowed to be in possession of visitor DebitCards.
B. The institution shall not assume responsibility for lost or stolen items. No unauthorized personal items shall be left in the Visitor processing area.
Searches
All searches are performed at the discretion of the Shift Commander.
A. All carry-in items are subject to search at any time on state property.
B. All visitors are subject to search at any time while on state property.
C. All vehicles are subject to search at any time while on state property.
Any refusal to comply with a search shall result in denial of visiting privileges for that day.
Money/Inmate Property
A. Monies in the forms of checks or money orders are to be received only via Inmate Accounts and are not to be given to the inmate under any circumstances. Checks and money orders can only be received during visiting periods.
B. Visitors are encouraged to use the U.S. Mail to send monies in the form of checks or money orders for deposit into an inmate's account.
C. A slotted container is available at the Sign-in Point that is emptied Monday-Friday by the Treasurer. Cash deposits are not allowed. It is suggested that inmates advise people sending in checks to send money orders/bank checks to avoid any "hold" that may be placed on a personal check.
D. No Inmate property will be accepted.
Operation of Vehicles
A. Careless or reckless operation of vehicles on state property is subject to prosecution and/or loss of visiting privileges.
B. A five- (5) mile per hour speed limits shall be strictly enforced.
General Conduct
The conduct of the visitor and inmate while in the visiting room shall adhere to the following guidelines.
A. Excessive familiarity, the use of any profanity, or serious deviation from appropriate standards of behavior in a public place may result in administrative action, such as verbal warning, termination of a visit, or loss of visiting privileges.
B. Visitors are expected to conduct themselves reasonably and not to engage in physical contact with inmate/residents that is excessive or inappropriate for a public place.
C. Behavior which may be offensive to another visitor or inappropriate in the presence of children will not be tolerated.
D. Any contact that is more than commonly acceptable as a public display of affection and which is embarrassing to others, (i.e., excessive body caressing, excessive kissing, the touching of a private body part) or violates common standard of decency and respect will not be tolerated. One (1) notice of caution is discretionary.
E. Disruptive behavior of any kind will not be tolerated.
F. No straddling chairs. Furniture is not to be rearranged.
G. No sitting with one person's legs crossed over another person's legs.
H. Feet will remain visible at all times.
I. No lying across or sitting in another's lap.
J. When sitting, hands shall be in plain sight at all times.
K. Inmate visitors shall not be allowed to put their arms around each other when sitting or standing. The only exception will be once at the beginning and once at the end of the visit during the exchange of common display of affection (hug and/or closed mouth kiss).
L. Inmates and visitors will follow the orders of the officers assigned to the visiting room and its related areas.
M. No article(s) shall be passed between visitors and inmates/residents without the permission of a visiting room officer.
N. Inmates and visitors are responsible for cleaning up and throwing away all trash, left over vending machine items and wrappers that have been purchased during their visit.
O. No cross visiting between inmates and visitors.
P. No sharing of beverages or bagged food items.
Q. At no time will visitors and/or inmates be allowed to change their seats unless directed to or given permission to do so by a visiting room staff member.
R. Interaction between inmate and another visitor or between visitors is not allowed.
S. Possession or use of tobacco products is prohibited.
T. Parents or legal guardians will be responsible for the child's behavior at all times. Children will not be allowed to engage in disruptive behavior or to roam the visiting room or area unattended. This type of behavior may be grounds for termination of the visit.
U. Visitors and inmates are expected to keep their general area clean and orderly. Dispose of all refuse in proper containers.
V. Visitors shall not be allowed to bring in any pet other than a Seeing Eye dog or a dog utilized for handicap purposes.
W. Use of playground equipment in the outside visiting area is permitted with parental supervision. Defective playground equipment should be reported to the Visiting Officer immediately.
Contraband
A. Visitors shall not introduce or remove any items during their visit or otherwise have in their possession or property, any item of contraband including but not limited to:
– Guns, knives or other weapons;
– Controlled substances;
– Tobacco products and lighters / matches;
– Alcohol;
– Explosive or incendiary devices;
– Packages, parcels or mail intended for the inmate
– Any item (other than allowable items) not allowed for the possession or retention by inmates;
– Food. All foodstuffs are to be purchased through the vending machines.
B. Questions regarding any item which may be potentially classified as contraband shall be addressed to the Shift Commander whose decision shall rule, pending any appeal as set forth in the provisions included in these Rules and Regulations.
C. Violation of State and/or Federal Law may result in criminal prosecution.
D. The smoking, possession or other use of tobacco products by inmates and/or visitors is prohibited on all Department of Correction property and property under the control of the Department. If a visitor has any tobacco product, matches, lighter, etc. on their person when they are being signed in at Control, they shall be given the option of bringing the items back to their vehicles and then be allowed to visit. If contraband is found within the visiting area, the visit shall be terminated and be subject to a permanent bar from visiting.
Barred Visits and Appeals
A. Violation of any rule or regulation governing visits at MCI-Plymouth may result in refusal of visiting privileges, termination of visits and/or being barred from future visits.
B. The Shift Commander has the authority to restrict or suspend visiting privileges pending review and/or appeal to the Superintendent.
C. Barred visitors are restricted from entering any Department of Correction facility prior to reinstatement of their visiting privileges. Application for reinstatement may occur upon expiration of the period of the bar.
D. The Superintendent may require an interview when considering any matter under appeal or application for reinstatement.
Outside Visits (Seasonal)
A. Outside visitors shall be processed as previously stated, but shall proceed from the Control area to the Pondside visiting area. No inmate or visitor shall be allowed access to the dining hall area during outside visits.
B. An outdoor portable toilet will be available for Pondside visits marked "Visitors". Visitors who wish to use indoor toilet facilities may do so by making a request to the Visiting Officer and following his/her directions.
C. Inmates shall utilize the portable toilet facilities in the outside visiting area marked "Inmates". No inmate shall be allowed to leave visiting areas and return.
D. Drinking water shall be available at the outside visiting area in a Cambro with ice.
E. STRADDLING of benches shall not be allowed.
F. When exiting the visiting area, all visitors shall turn right and proceed directly to their car. Inmates must turn left and proceed along the lower pond road, and back to their dorms via the brick walk.
G. No visitors or inmates are to linger in the lower camp when visits are over.
Attorney Visits
A. All attorney visits shall be conducted during normal visiting hours. Any other request for attorney visits shall obtain prior approval by the Superintendent or his designee.
B. Attorney visits shall be held in the C-Dorm Day Room so attorney/client privacy can be ensured. The Shift Commander shall ensure that the Day Room is cleared of all inmates prior to the visit. The Control Center Officer shall ensure that the proper documentation is collected and forwarded to the Shift Commander so the inmate's visiting card can be documented.
C. All attorneys requesting attorney visits shall provide appropriate credentials such as: Bar Card, intern status or other pre-approved documentation giving him/her attorney privileges.
Special Visits
The Superintendent or his/her designee may allow visits other than during normal visiting periods (e.g. family emergencies). The inmate shall submit a written request to the Superintendent requesting the special visit. Times and location of the visit shall be determined by the Superintendent or his/her designee.
Per 103 CMR 483, in the event an MASAC at Plymouth inmate who is confined at an outside hospital is medically determined to be in critical condition or in imminent danger of death, he may be allowed to have visits. In such cases, the Superintendent or his/her designee shall contact the inmate's emergency notification individual. Should a visit be requested as a result of this contact, the Superintendent shall rule on this request and determine the visitation arrangements accordingly. These arrangements shall then be relayed to the Officer in Charge of the hospital detail via the Shift Commander. All other parties who request visits under these circumstances shall contact the Superintendent's office and will be considered on a case by case basis.
