- State Prison
- Massachusetts
- PO Box 9007, Framingham, MA 01701
- 508-532-5100
- Official Website
- Featured
MA DOC – Massachusetts Correctional Institution (MCI) – Framingham basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 508-532-5100
This facility is for adult inmates.
The inmates housed at MCI-Framingham located at 99 Loring Dr
in Framingham, 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.
In addition to meeting the security needs of a medium security facility, MCI-Framingham provides numerous program and treatment opportunities including mental health, medical, substance abuse, and family services, as well as educational, library, religious, recreation, and community service programs such as the National Education for Assistant Dog Services. Programming also includes vocational programs such as cosmetology, culinary services and building trades. To this end, the female offender can access and utilize programs at MCI-Framingham, transfer to South Middlesex Correctional Center through the classification process, and make the reintegrative transition back into the community.
Programs Available at This Facility
Catch the Hope: Vendor facilitated program that provides medical counseling, education, re-entry plans and social services to pregnant and postpartum inmates. This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham.
DCF Visit Coordination: Contractors coordinate meetings between inmates and DCF social workers, in addition to supervising inmate/child visits and coordinating foster care reviews. These services are available at MCI Framingham and South Middlesex Correctional Center.
Domestic Violence Program: Is a Contractor coordinated program that focuses on treatment and prevention strategies for inmates involved in domestic violence. This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham.
First Step Program: Vendor facilitated two-phase detoxification and residential substance abuse treatment unit for detainees and inmates. This program is designed to provide initial substance abuse education and comprehensive discharge planning. This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham.
Fully Alive Program: Contractor coordinated, volunteer facilitated program that focuses on spiritual growth and choosing responsible living. Topics include relationships, recovery, anger management and understanding the relationship between attitudes, choices and consequences. This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham and South Middlesex Correctional Center.
Healthy Human Relationships: An eight-week, Contractor facilitated program designed to assist inmates in distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy relationship. This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham.
National Education for Assistant Dog Services-Puppy Program: A 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.
Opioid Treatment Program (OTP): OTP is a program for all inmates who are pregnant and on Methadone within the institution run by a First Step Program (FSP) case manager. OTP meets once a week as a support group for the inmates. Many topics are discussed such as women's health, relapse prevention, and healthy relationships development. The program is rolling admissions and is discontinued once the inmate is off methadone.
Criminal Thinking: The Criminal Thinking Program is an eight-week program designed to make inmates aware of their thought process and its affect on their decisions and actions.
Peer Support Program: The Peer Support Program is a system of giving and receiving help founded on key principles of respect, shared responsibility and mutual agreement of what is helpful. Inmates assist other inmates, in a supportive way, connect with other people who can help towards healing, they also share their experiences to help cope with negative effects of a traumatic background.
Cognitive Skill Workshop: This volunteer facilitated program designed to teach cognitive social skills through active listening, problem solving, negotiating, using assertive communication and self-control. This workshop includes modeling of these learned skills through role play. These learned skills will develop a process thinking that will be utilized while incarcerated and upon reentry into the community, and change patterns of thinking that lead to re-offending.
Re-Entry Workshop: This program is a ten-day workshop offered to inmates at MCI-Framingham. Eligibility requirements are one year to release and need to be sentenced for more than 120 days. Re-Entry planners work with the inmates on a comprehensive Re-Entry Pland that is intended to promote a successful transition into the community including topics such as living arrangements, employment, social support, goals, crisis planning, financial planning, and victim awareness. As part of the plan a daily activity schedule is created.
Transitional Housing Program: The goal of this program is to focus on strengthening the relationship between parent and child. The program provides progressive intervals of 2, 4, 6, or 8 hour visits that afford the inmate direct care with their child as well as building strategies together for managing challenges during and after the visitation. The Transitional Housing Program (Trailer) provides the inmate/parent and opportunity to begin providing a nurturing and stable home environment for their child.
America's Vet Dogs: The Guide Dog Foundation provides service dogs to those who have served our country honorably and who now seek the enhanced mobility and independence of an assistance dog. The service dogs are taught by inmate handlers who are instructed by an American Vet Dog trainer.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Assessment and Counseling: The Education Department employs a full-time assessment counselor who administers the TABE test (which determines academic level and class placement) to every inmate who is serving 60 days or longer. The counselor provides assessment, interview, and referral of inmates to appropriate classes or programs.
Academic Education: The Adult Basic Education program is designed for inmates whose performance is below the grade level 6.0 and who can function successfully wither independently or in a group setting. ABE provides basic skills in reading, writing skills, math, science and social studies.
The Pre-GED program is designed to prepare intermediate level inmates (performance at grade level 6.0-8.9) for entrance into the GED Program. Studies include all of the five- (5) areas of the GED test.
The GED program is specifically geared toward preparing inmates performing at grade level 9.0 and above to successfully take the GED exam. The GED class covers the five areas of GED testing: Language Arts Writing, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts Reading, and Math. The test is given at least twice during the school year.
Title One classes supplement academic instruction in math, reading and writing skills for inmates under 21 years of age.
College courses are provided in partnership with Boston University, which provides instructors and books at no cost to the DOC. Courses offered can lead to a Bachelor's Degree.
Special Education/Literacy support services are available to adults with learning differences who need accommodation in order to provide equal access and opportunity.
Parenting Education Program: A Contractor facilitated program that addresses pregnancy, child development, nutrition, diapering, health issues, behavior management and issues surrounding being an incarcerated parent. This program is facilitated at Boston Pre-release Center and MCI Framingham.
Parenting Family Preservation Services: Contractor provided 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 Esteem Group: Contractor facilitated four-week program designed to examine self-esteem and its development. This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham.
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.
Steps to Recovery: Short-term substance abuse treatment program for female inmates at MCI Framingham and South Middlesex Correctional Center designed for the female offender addict, and services the gender-specific and unique characteristics displayed by female offenders. Included among the primary treatment goals of this program is: abstinence from alcohol and other drugs; recognizing one-self as an alcoholic/addict; confronting and breaking through denial; beginning the recovery process; maintaining sobriety; and the promotion of pro-social norms and behaviors. This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham and South Middlesex Correctional Center.
Cosmetology: will train 12 inmate-students at a time in all aspects of hairstyling, skin care and nail beautification. The 1000-hours of training will prepare the students to take the Massachusetts State License Examination in Cosmetology.
Culinary Arts: is a year long program in which students will earn their Serv-Safe Certificate and work towards a certificate in Professional Cooking. As a part of the program, students will staff a 60 seat staff restaurant which will serve luncheon 4 days a week.
WRA – Women's Recovery Academy: Open enrollment 6 month Program. Substance Abuse Recovery Program meets M-F and focuses on criminal thinking. Topics include Basic concepts of addiction, principles of recovery, countering negative thinking and errors, negative behaviors and Relapse Prevention and Reentry Planning.
visitation Info
Massachusetts Correctional Institution (MCI) – Framingham – Visitation
General Population
Visiting hours are from 1:00 pm to 8:45 pm; on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for all inmates housed in general population.
Civil Commitments
The civil commitment population shall follow general population rules and regulations for visits. Civil Commitments must be escorted to and from the Visiting Room during non-movement times. Visiting Hours for civil commitments are as follows:
- Mondays: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
- Fridays: 8:00 – 10:30 am
- Saturdays 8:00 – 10:30 am
Holiday schedules shall follow the visiting schedule for the assigned day, unless otherwise authorized by the Superintendent.
Visitor processing runs from 12:30 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. No visits will be processed after 8:15 p.m. Visiting trap procedures are as follows:
Shift Change – The Visitor Trap will close from 2:50 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. At 2:30 p.m. the Visiting Room OIC shall make an announcement for those opting to exit the visiting room. Those who choose to remain may not egress until directed by the visiting room OIC.
Major Count – The Visitor Trap will close from 4:15 p.m. until the Major count has cleared. At 4:00 p.m. the Visiting Room OIC shall make an announcement for those opting to the exit the visiting room. Visitors will be processed through the trap. Inmates who can not be properly processed will remain the Visiting Room on an out-count until which time they can be properly processed. Those who choose to remain may not egress until directed by the visiting room OIC.
Visitor Processing will continue through the trap closing times. All paperwork will be processed however, inmates will not be called for visits until which time the trap reopens and visitors will not be processed through the trap during count or shift change.
Inmates are allowed a maximum number of five (5) visiting periods per week. A visiting period is 1 – 5 p.m. and/or 4 – 8:45 p.m. An inmate who is on a visit for any portion of either period shall be charged with utilization of one visit (i.e. if the visit runs from 2 to 6 p.m. then the inmate shall be charged with two (2) visiting periods.)
Maximum number of visitors allowed per visit will be (2) adults and three (3) children.
Visitors may visit for the entire scheduled visiting period. In emergency situations and overcrowding, at the discretion of the Shift Commander, visits may be limited to no less than one (1) hour in duration to accommodated all visitors. Visits that started earliest will be terminated first (excluding visitors who traveled over 100 miles) to provide room when visitors are waiting to enter the visiting room due to overcrowding.
Visitors who have been convicted of a felony or who have been sentenced to a penal institution must complete a Felony/Background Form and receive permission from the Superintendent, prior to visiting.
Visitors who have an active restraining/harassment order against the inmate they are visiting shall be prohibited from visiting. A Notification of apparent violation of restraining order from shall be filled out for each prohibited visit. The order should be verified that it is documented in IMS by writing and incident report. If the order is not documented in IMS, it should be entered.
Visitors must present photo identification, which in the opinion of the admitting officer(s) is adequate. A current Massachusetts Driver's license, passport or an identification card issued by the Department of Transitional Assistance shall be sufficient. Inmate visitors are not required to leave this documentation with the visit processing officer for general population visits. If the visitor is escorted to a non-contact visit in CCU, the photo ID (only) will be retained. The ID shall be placed in the designated slot in the visitor trap.
Attorney, law students, and paralegal visits will be conducted in one of the three (3) designated attorney-visiting rooms. This will allow offenders confidential contact with their attorneys/representatives.
Visits for inmates admitted to outside hospital shall be conducted in accordance with 103 DOC 521.
Outside Agency – If at any time an outside law enforcement agency attempts or requests to visit an Inmate/Detainee refer to the 103 DOC 518.07.
The Visiting Room log in the IMS shall be maintained throughout all visits by the Officer in Charge of the visiting room.
Special Visits
Special visits (i.e. Extended hours/visitors) shall be approved by the Superintendent.
Requests for Special Visits must be made in writing one week in advance. Requests made outside this time frame due to a family crisis or emergency shall be handled on an individual basis.
Minor Consent Forms
No child who was a victim of the inmate's offense shall be authorized to visit without the authorization of the Commissioner of or designee.
A parent entering with their minor child must have a copy of the minor's birth certificate and appropriate identification with them each time they visit.
If the adult entering with a minor is the minor's legal guardian, staff shall ensure they have a court document indicating they are the appointed legal guardian, they must present that court document, along with a copy of the minor's birth certificate and appropriate identification, each time they visit.
An individual that is not the parent or legal guardian of a minor must submit a completed Minor Request Form to the Superintendent, and obtain the Superintendent's approval to bring the minor in to visit prior to visiting. Staff must verify that there is an approved Minor Consent Form on file for the minor, and that the individual accompanying the minor has a copy of the approved minor form, along with the minor's birth certificate and appropriate identification.
NOTE: If there is no approved Minor Consent Form on file, the officer will give the individual a blank form and advise them that the minor's parent or legal guardian must complete the form then submit the form to the Superintendent with necessary documentation for approval.
If the MCI-Framingham inmate is the parent of the minor and wishes the minor to visit, the inmate may fill out a Minor Consent Form and submit to the Superintendent. The inmate must ensure that:
The form is filled out completely, noting the name and address of the adult that will bring the minor to MCI-Framingham.
A copy of the birth certificate is provided for attachment to the Minor Consent Form.
Upon the Superintendent's approval, the form will be returned to the inmate; a copy of same, along with the birth certificate, will be sent to the adult approved to bring the minor to visit; and a copy will be placed on file at Visitor Processing.
In any case involving a minor, if the individual who is trying to visit with the minor is not the person authorized on the minor consent form the minor will not be allowed to visit.
Vending Machines
The machines and their contents are made available for inmates and their visitors for their personal consumption in the visiting room.
There will be no food or drink removed from the visiting area by any visitor or inmate. Inmates must consume or dispose of all food/drink prior to entering the strip search waiting area.
It is the responsibility of the inmate to ensure that all trash is deposited into the appropriate receptacles.
Abuse of the machines may result in the suspension of visiting privileges or use of vending machines.
Sharing of food products and or/drinks will not be allowed.
Only two (2) people at a time are allowed at the vending machine. Inmates are not allowed to operate or have direct access to the vending machine.
Parenting Room
- Inmates who receive visits, which include children under 14 years of age are encouraged to utilize the parenting room in the visiting area.
- All children must be supervised by the guardian or parent at all times.
- All toys are to remain in the parenting room and are to be put away at the end of the visit.
- Inmates and visitors who abuse the privileges of the parenting room may be subject to loss of visiting privileges.
Inmate Dress Code
Inmates entering the Visiting Area must wear clothing that is neat and presentable. At a minimum, clothing shall include a shirt or blouse with sleeves, pants, socks, with underpants and bra. The Visiting Room Sergeant/OIC shall make the determination of presentability.
Dress shirts do not need to be tucked in, however undershirts must be neatly tucked in.
Inmates are allowed to enter the Visiting Area with a handkerchief, religious medal, medic-alert bracelet/necklace, wedding band, and their identification card. Legal material will be allowed for attorney visits.
No other items are to be brought to or worn in the Visiting Area, other than those items approved in the dress code.
Institution Rules and Regulations
Upon entrance to the Visiting Room, inmates will provide the Visiting Room Officer their movement and institutional ID card.
Seating will be on a first come first served basis and only in those areas designated for inmates. As the Inmates enter the visiting room they will take a plastic chair from the stack and place it across from their visitor’s seats. When the visit has ended they will return their plastic chair to the stack and wait to be strip searched prior to exiting the visiting room. The Visiting Room Sergeant or the Officer in Charge will monitor seating.
Inmates as well as visitors, are required to sit with their back flat against the chair and their feet flat on the ground. Legs may not be crossed and there is no straddling on the chairs.
Inmates are not allowed to take or give any item to visitors. The exception to this is items purchased from the vending machine. Inmates are not allowed to share items from the vending machine with their visitors.
Visitors as well as inmates will be allowed to use the designated toilet facilities in the Visiting Room, when necessary. Both Visitors and Inmates are subject to search after each use.
In the event an infant needs a diaper change visiting room staff will do the following:
- Search the clean diaper prior to the diaper change.
- The Officer inspecting the diaper will remain in the immediate area but will NOT maintain constant observation of the infant during the diaper change.
The toilet facilities shall be searched prior to any visitor entering and after the visitor has exited and a personal search of the visitor has been completed.
The introduction of guns, controlled substances, alcohol or other weapons is cause for loss of visiting privileges as well as criminal prosecution.
Smoking or the possession of tobacco or tobacco related products is strictly prohibited.
If a visitor appears to be under the influence of alcohol or any unknown substance or the odor of alcohol is detected they will be denied entrance.
Visitors may purchase a debit card in the lobby for vending machine purchases. Money is not allowed in the visiting room.
Female visitors requesting to breast feed their children will be directed to an attorney room for the privacy of mother and child only.
Visitors may only visit with one inmate at a time during their incarceration at MCI-Framingham unless the Superintendent or her designee has provided special approval. (Visitors cannot visit one inmate on one day and another inmate on another day).
Physical contact between visitors and inmates shall be limited to a brief greeting at the start and at the completion of a visit. Excessive or inappropriate physical contact may be cause for termination of the visit and loss of privileges.
Visitors who choose to deposit funds into inmate accounts must do so by making the check or money order payable to inmate and depositing it in the INMATE ACCOUNT BOX located in the main lobby. The funds will be deposited into the inmate account in accordance with 103 DOC 405: Inmate Funds Policy. MCI-Framingham does not accept cash deposits for Inmates. Visitors must only deposit money orders into the account of the person they are visiting.
Visitors to MCI Framingham, their vehicles and their possessions are subject to search while on state property.
Inmates who are scheduled to serve disciplinary sanctions, or are otherwise not able to receive visits, are responsible to notify visitors prior to such a visit, if they desire to avoid limited or otherwise restricted visits.
When an inmate's housing status changes abruptly (e.g. from general population to Close Custody, HSU, etc.), upon the inmate's request, reasonable efforts will be made by the Unit Team staff to contact visitors and have them informed of visiting restrictions.
All visitors must park their vehicles in the area assigned for Visitors Parking. All vehicles must be locked while on state property. Visitors will be required to list the registration number of the vehicle they arrived in on the Request to Visit Form. Visitors are not allowed to loiter in the parking lot.
Service Dog Programs – Inmates involved with the NEADS/VET Dog program may bring their dog with them on a visit. The following rules apply,
a. The inmate may bring with them a non-squeaking dog toy, dog treats and a mat into the visiting room. (No bones are allowed.)
b. Puppies will be allowed in the children's room.
c. At the discretion of the visiting room OIC, if the puppy becomes a distraction a back-up handler will be called for the puppy to be removed from the Visiting Room.
d. Handlers must give the dog the opportunity to "break" prior to entering the visiting room. If the puppy needs to "break", they must notify correctional staff and will be allowed to go into the courtyard on the hour.
Searches of Visitors
The processing of inmate visitors shall be conducted at the designated visitor processing window located in the Outer Control Lobby. Inmate Visitors are processed on a first come first serve basis. The designated "stamp of the day" is affixed by the processing officer once all necessary paperwork and identification procedures have been completed. The inmate visitors will then remain in the visitor waiting area pending entrance into the facility.
The trap officer shall advise all the visitors prior to entering the trap of the items that allowed to be carried on the person prior to entering the visiting room. (Locker key, vending card, approved personal medication, wedding ring/band, and medical alert jewelry). All other items should be secured inside the lockers.
Visitors shall be directed by the pedestrian trap officer to remain at the front of the entrance, until the officer gives further direction.
Prior to allowing an inmate visitor entrance into the facility, the Outer control OIC must ensure proper staffing in the Visiting Room and Visiting Room Trap/Sally Port. At least one officer must be present to man the Visiting Room Trap/Sally Port prior to allowing visitors access.
Officers assigned to the Visitor Pedestrian Trap shall search the clean room and Visitor Pedestrian Trap prior to processing any visitors, and should search these areas periodically and at the conclusion of their tour of duty.
A maximum of four (4) visitors to include children will be allowed in the visitor trap at any one time. The pedestrian trap officer may process less than three (3) visitors to maintain proper security, if deemed necessary. The shift commander will be notified for authorization.
NOTE: In the event drug detection dogs are used by Correctional Staff to conduct searches of visitors no more than 3 persons (including children) shall be allowed in the visitor trap.
The visiting trap officer shall check each individual for the current "stamp of the day" utilizing the hand held black light prior to allowing access into the Visiting Room Trap/Sally Port. Visitors will remove all outer garments, belts, glasses and shoes, placing them on the table. All items in their pockets to include approved medication will be placed into the containers provided in the area. All garments pockets shall be turned inside out. (All pockets that cannot be turned inside out shall be searched by the Trap Officer.) The trap Officer shall search all the personal belongings for contraband (outer garments / all items inside the bucket) and place it on the table near the inner door of visiting room, away from the visitor's search.
Upon entry to MCI-Framingham visitors must disclose to the searching officers(s) any article they are carrying on their person except the clothes they are wearing. Anyone who attempts to carry any article in or out of the institution without knowledge of the admitting or searching officer shall be liable to arrest and loss of visiting privileges.
The Visiting Trap Officer shall then conduct a visual search of the visitor to include that of out turned pockets, open mouth hairline etc. This shall be accomplished prior to the individual passing thru the metal detector.
At a minimum, all visitors must successfully pass through the metal detector and/or hand held scanner. Each Shift Commander shall designate the personal search number of the shift "number of the day". In this instance the designated personal search will always be a "pat search". This search is conducted after the individual walks thru the walk thru metal detector. The individual to be searched must sign the trap log book prior to said search.
The visiting trap officer will instruct each visitor to pass through the walk thru metal detector (one at a time). The only exception shall be any individual with an automatic implantable defibrillator and/or pacemaker. Said visitor will be asked to submit to an alternate search. Once cleared, the visitor will be directed to the clean room. Once the search is complete the individual must remain in the clean room until directed otherwise.
Visitors who are not able to successfully pass through the metal detector shall be required to submit to a more thorough personal search. More thorough personal and strip searches will be conducted in the clean search room located in the Visiting Trap area. In this circumstance the Shift Commander will be notified for authorization prior to the more thorough personal search being conducted and an incident report shall be written. Any visitor who refuses any type of personal search must be informed that they may leave the institution and forfeit the opportunity to visit rather than submit to the search. This procedure will be followed for each visitor prior to being directed to the clean room. The shift commander should be notified as soon as possible prior to visitor leaving.
Visitors that have artificial limbs or prosthetic devices shall remove those items for inspection by correctional staff. Such searches shall be done in an area out of view of other visitors, and by a correctional staff member of the same gender as the visitor. Employees conducting searches shall do so in a professional and courteous manner.
All searches of minors and infants must be conducted in the presence of the adult (legal guardian / parent) who is accompanying them. Any further search of a child/minor shall be done only with the approval of the parent/legal guardian and in their presence. Children with diapers will not be required to have diapers removed for "search purposes" unless there is reasonable suspicion to conduct such a search and prior approval is given by the Superintendent or designee. The diaper may be visually inspected, to ensure that no contraband is present. This search shall also be conducted out of view of other visitors and consent by the parent/legal guardian shall be recorded in the appropriate log. The parent /Legal Guardian shall sign the log prior to the search taking place.
At no time should the minor be placed in the designated clean room with the visitor who is not the parent or legal guardian of the minor. All minors will be processed with their parent or legal guardian only. With the exception of security staff and parent or legal guardian, no other adult visitor should be present while processing minors inside the pedestrian trap.
At no time should the officer compromise the security of the institution by allowing the visitor who has not successfully passed the required search to come in contact with the ones who has been directed to the clean room.
At no time should the officer open the inner door to the visiting room, unless all visitors have successfully passed the required search and they have received the "signal of the day."
Should for any reason it is determined that the above procedure has been compromised, the trap officer shall re-search all the visitors inside the trap area prior to giving access inside the visiting room.
Visiting room staff shall ensure all areas of the room are searched prior to any visitors or inmates allowed in the area, and again once all visitors and inmates have exited the area. This shall be documented as a common area search in IMS.
A personal search of a visitor may not be conducted without prior authorization of the Shift Commander unless it is the designated number of the day. When the officer conducting the personal search feels an item may be concealed on a visitor, permission must be granted from the Shift Commander to conduct a more extensive search. A more extensive search may include removing an article of clothing or up to and including a strip search. Any visitor who is asked to remove any article of clothing or submit to a strip search must sign the Search Log located in Visiting Trap. The searching employee shall enter the date and time of the search and sign the Search Log as well. Strip searches may take place only with the approval of the Superintendent or his/her designee.
The visitor shall be granted the opportunity to leave the institution rather than submit to search and may leave at any time during the strip search unless:
- The employee has those arrest powers granted by the authority of M.G.L. C. 127, S. 127 and;
- The employee has probable cause to believe that the visitor has committed an arrestable offense and the employee has probable cause to believe that the visitor has seizable evidence concealed on his person.
- The employee has probable cause to believe that the visitor has seizable evidence concealed on his/her person.
Under these conditions, a personal search incident to arrest may be conducted.
The officer(s) conducting any strip search shall do so in accordance with 103 FRA 506 S.II (B). The Officer(s) shall file an incident report concerning the search with the Superintendent, prior to the end of the shift. The report shall contain the name of the visitor, the name(s) of the searching officer(s) and of the official who approved the search, the extent of the search, and what, if anything was found.
Employees may only conduct a visual inspection of a visitor's oral, anal or genital cavities. Any more intrusive form of search requires a search warrant. The assistance of the District Attorney for the county in which the institution is located shall be requested in that event.
If a sanitary napkin or tampon is being worn, the visitor will be required to remove this article in a lavatory in the search area in the presence of an officer. The officer will visually inspect the body area of the napkin/tampon for the presence of contraband. Once this procedure is complete and the officer is satisfied that no contraband is present, the visitor shall be supplied with the new sanitary napkin or tampon.
Any person refusing to submit to any aspect of the search procedures shall be denied entrance to the institution. Where the refusal occurs under circumstances indicating that the most likely motive for refusal may be to prevent discovery of concealed articles, where a suspicious pattern of refusals is apparent, or where a visitor engages in offensive or assaultive behavior during the search process, his/her visiting privileges may be suspended or terminated. The procedure outlined in 103 CMR 483.16 shall be followed.
Papers and documents carried in or out by any judge, attorney, law student paralegal, the Governor, any legislator or member of the Parole Board may be inspected for concealed articles but shall not be read.
If contraband is found which may lead to an arrest refer to 103 FRA 501 Attachment XI- Arrests of Individuals on the Grounds of MCI Framingham.
