MA DOC – Massachusetts Correctional Institution (MCI) – Shirley

MCI-Shirley is located approximately forty-two miles northwest of Boston on the Shirley/Lancaster County Line adjacent to the maximum-security Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center (SBCC). The facility maintains 13 inmate housing units, a twenty-eight-bed full-service hospital unit, fifty-nine-bed segregation unit, gym, recreation areas, school, industries, laundry, vocational area, food services and programs. Catholic, Rabbi, Muslim & Protestant Chaplains provide the religious services for the facility. We also offer barber certification and culinary certification programs which upon successfully completing, inmates are allowed to take the Massachusetts State License exam and obtain a license.

MCI-Shirley Level 3 was opened in the early 1970s and MCI-Shirley Level 4 was opened to house inmates in July 1991. Subsequently in July 2002 Level 3 and 4 joined together as one institution and currently holds two security level of inmates. As a result of the consolidation, the number of Level 3 housing units and bed space was reduced.

As of Spring 2004, a Special Needs Unit project was completed in the Health Services Unit area. The Department of Correction does not currently have an area to house elderly inmates that require assistance with daily living needs. This area, once on line and running, will house a maximum capacity of thirteen inmates.

Our Health Services Unit is fully staffed 7 days per week, 24 hours per day. We provide a variety of services to include Medical, Dental, Podiatry, Optometry, Mental Health, Psychiatry, Psychology, Physical Therapy and Phlebotomy. We currently have six dialysis stations that are used three times per week and a full service Physical Therapy Room. Inmates from all other Department of Correction facilities are transported as necessary to MCI-Shirley, for these services.

Although not all inmates in Level 4 are required to work, we do attempt to employ the maximum number in the specified areas. There are currently 485 inmate work assignments in Level 3 & 4. Inmates are encouraged to avail themselves to the many department & volunteer-driven programs.

Programs Available at This Facility
Alcoholics Anonymous: A volunteer facilitated working support program where inmates learn about triggers to their behavior, understand past behavior and learn how to build a new, healthier sober lifestyle. This program is facilitated at MCI Cedar Junction and MCI Shirley Minimum.

Alternatives to Violence (AVP): A volunteer facilitated program that teaches inmates how to reduce violence by introducing alternative ways of resolving conflict resulting in a diminished need to resort to violence. Workshops focus on conflict resolution. This program is facilitated at MCI Concord, MCI Shirley, North Central Correctional Institution, North Central Correctional Institution – Minimum Unit, Northeastern Correctional Center, Old Colony Correctional Center and Souza Baranowski Correctional Center.

Calligraphy: Volunteers teach inmates this very disciplined graphic technique that demands concentration and commitment, using a quick, simple and practical method. This program is facilitated at MCI Concord and MCI Shirley

Creative Writing: Teaches basic English Composition covering expository, descriptive and narrative writing, dialogue, and short stories. This program is facilitated at MCI Shirley

Emotional Awareness and Healing: Volunteer coordinated program designed to foster emotional and spiritual growth and promote responsibility and accountability toward ones self and others. Inmates are also taught skills to reduce disruptive behavior. This program is facilitated at MCI Cedar Junction, MCI Concord, MCI Shirley, North Central Correctional Institution, North Central Correctional Institution – Minimum Unit, Northeastern Correctional Center and Souza Baranowski Correctional Center.

Father's Parenting Program: Volunteer facilitated 12-week course consisting of classes in moral and legal responsibilities of fatherhood. This program is facilitated at MCI Concord, MCI Shirley, Northeastern Correctional Center and Souza Baranowski Correctional Center.

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 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.

Introduction to Treatment: A four-week, twelve-session program designed to prepare inmates to utilize the basic information and skills that they will receive through participation in future programming. This program is facilitated at MCI Shirley – Minimum Unit, North Central Correctional Institution, North Central Correctional Institution – Minimum Unit and Souza Baranowski Correctional Center.

Introduction to Twelve Step Programming: Vendor facilitated four week, twelve session program designed to teach inmates how to access and utilize twelve step programming to enhance their recovery. This program is facilitated at MCI Concord, MCI Shirley – Minimum Unit, North Central Correctional Institution, North Central Correctional Institution – Minimum Unit and Souza Baranowski Correctional Center.

Kids Corner: Local churches supervise structured activities for the children of inmates in the visiting room. No inmates are allowed in this area. This program is facilitated at MCI Shirley.

Menswork: Eight to twelve week program designed to provide creative educational services that support the personal and social rehabilitation of convicted offenders. This program is facilitated at MCI Shirley – Minimum Unit and Souza Baranowski Correctional Center.

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 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.

Substance Abuse Video Program: Volunteer facilitated program consisting of inmates viewing substance abuse treatment videos followed up by a discussion period on substance abuse issues. This program is available at MCI Shirley – Minimum Unit.

The Most Excellent Way : Biblical-Christian based program at MCI Shirley facilitated by DOC Chaplain focusing on the "Ten Attitudes of Victorious Living". This program is facilitated at MCI Shirley and MCI Shirley – Minimum Unit.

Toastmasters: Public speaking program that enables inmates to develop more effective communication skills. Through a series of presentations, inmates learn to express thoughts in a clear and non-threatening manner. Toastmasters are an internationally recognized organization. This program is facilitated at Bay State Correctional Center, MCI Norfolk, MCI Shirley, Northeastern Correctional Center, Old Colony Correctional Center and Souza Baranowski Correctional Center.

Victory in Spiritual Warfare Bible Study Program: Staff facilitated twenty-six week Christian Bible study program. This program is facilitated at MCI Shirley.

Youth Outreach: Staff supervised program geared toward at-risk youths coordinated through local high schools and the Department of Youth Services. Students attend inmate presentations during which inmates speak about their own personal experience with peer pressure, substance abuse, crime and incarceration. This program is facilitated at MCI Norfolk, MCI Shirley, North Central Correctional Institution, North Central Correctional Institution – Minimum Unit and Old Colony Correctional Center.