MA DOC – Massachusetts Treatment Center

MA DOC – Massachusetts Treatment Center basic information to help guide you through what you can do for your inmate while they are incarcerated. The facility's direct contact number: 508-279-8100

This facility is for adult inmates.

The inmates housed at MA DOC – Massachusetts Treatment Center located at 30 Administration Road in Bridgewater, 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.

MA DOC – Massachusetts Treatment Center – Visitation

The Massachusetts Treatment Center is located within the Bridgewater Correctional Complex and is a unique facility due to having a population of civilly committed Sexually Dangerous Persons as well as state prison inmates identified as sex offenders. Each population is located within separate areas of the facility.

The Mission of the Massachusetts Treatment Center is to promote public safety through the responsible management of criminal and civil commitments while providing a comprehensive and effective sex offender treatment program.

The Massachusetts Treatment Center is located in Bridgewater Massachusetts. It is a medium security institution that houses inmates as well as civil commitments. This is a treatment center for those who have been identified as sex offenders, and those who are considered sexually dangerous. Inmates housed here can also receive substance abuse treatment and can participate in art and music programs designed to develop self awareness.

visitation Info

MA DOC – Massachusetts Treatment Center – Visitation

VISITING SCHEDULE Visiting days and times may be subject to change. Please call the facility to verify visiting schedules.
Civil Commitment Residents Visiting Schedule:

• Monday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Friday 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday 1:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

State Inmate Visiting Schedule:

• Monday 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• Friday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

*Visitor Processing Periods

• 12:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
• 3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
• 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• *And at any other times as ordered by the Shift Commander.

Holiday Visiting Schedule

In order to ensure that inmates and residents have access to visits on holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Washington's Birthday, Evacuation Day (Suffolk County), Patriot's Day, Memorial Day, Bunker Hill Day, (Suffolk County), Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day the facility shall follow the Monday visiting schedule.

During a week when a holiday falls on any day but Monday, there will be an additional visiting period on the holiday; Holiday visiting hours will mirror the Monday visiting hours.

Attorneys, Qualified Examiners and Independent Examiners will be allowed access to the visiting room everyday from 1:00pm to 8:30pm. The provisions of 103 CMR 486, Attorney Access shall not be affected.

LIMITATION OF VISITS

Each inmate/resident is allowed to have a maximum of four (4) adult visitors at one time and a reasonable amount of children.

If the visiting room is at full capacity, the first visit admitted will be the first to leave. Visitors will not be asked to leave until they have had at least one (1) hour to visit. If the visitor has traveled more than 100 miles, the visitor will not be asked to leave until he/she has had at least a two (2) hour visit. Once a visitor leaves the institution, that visitor will not be allowed to visit again on that day.

Visitors are only allowed to visit one (1) inmate/resident housed at this institution. Exceptions may be made if the visitor is related, by blood to more than one inmate/resident (e.g., brother, father). Visitors must request and receive written approval from the superintendent if they would like to visit more than one inmate/resident or visit two inmates/residents simultaneously.

SEPARATE HOUSING

All visits for inmates/residents housed in the MPU must be pre-scheduled with the 7×3-shift central control room OIC and approved by a captain at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the visit.

Unless otherwise limited as a sanction, inmates will be permitted two (2) non-attorney-visiting periods per week for one (1) hour in duration.

Advanced scheduling of non-attorney visits will be offered in open one hour time blocks between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. excluding Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

All visits will be held in the visiting room adjacent to the MPU unless otherwise directed. All visitors shall be pat searched prior to entering the institution. Visitors will not be permitted to bring in change.

Only two (2) adult visitors will be allowed to visit at one time. If a minor is allowed to visit, the main visiting room will be utilized. The visit will be scheduled during non-visiting hours.

An officer shall be posted in the designated visiting area for the duration of the visit. During attorney visits, the officer shall be posted outside the door.

Inmates/residents will remain in waist chains and leg irons throughout the visit.

Once the visit has commenced, the inmate must remain seated at all times. The visit is to be conducted with a table between the inmate and visitor(s). Physical contact between inmates and visitors is not allowed.

All inmates will be strip-searched prior to entering the MPU visiting room, and will be strip-searched upon returning to the unit utilizing the designated strip search room.

Visitors will be escorted through the institution. They shall not be allowed to communicate with inmates from the general population.

Attorney visits may be scheduled through the MPU administrator. Attorney visits will be flexible, beginning at 9:00 a.m. and available until 8:00 p.m., seven (7) days per week. Attorneys must leave prior to other scheduled visits. Unless otherwise noted, Attorney visits shall be governed by 103 CMR 486 – Attorney Access. When possible, attorney visits shall be scheduled in advance of regular visits. Special consideration may be given if space allows.

Inmates/residents who are serving a sanction or are otherwise unable to receive visits shall be allowed one (1) telephone call to notify the expected visitors.

INMATE / RESIDENT FUNDS AND PROPERTY

Funds (checks or money orders NO CASH) must be placed in an envelope with the inmate/resident name and number clearly marked. Visitors must place the envelope in the box marked inmate/resident funds which is located in the lobby.

Only persons/visitors who are documented relatives or friends may drop off funds for an inmate/resident.

Persons/visitors shall not be allowed to drop off money for more than one (1) inmate/resident.

If it is documented that a person/visitor visits one inmate/resident, he/she shall not be allowed to drop off any money/funds for an inmate/resident other that the one he/she visits.

All property for inmates/residents shall be in accordance with 103 CMR 403 – Inmate Property Policy and the institutional procedures.

IDENTIFICATION AND SIGN IN REQUIREMENTS

Visitors will not be allowed to wait in the lobby until 12:00 p.m. for afternoon visits and 5:00 p.m. for evening visits.

At 12:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. the visitor processing window will open to visitors. Visitors must obtain a blank visiting slip from the officer and complete it in its entirety.

Visitors must produce a current and valid photo identification (drivers' license, registry I.D., Military I.D., passport, or an identification card issued by the Department of Transitional Assistance) as well as the vehicle registration (if the visitor has parked on the institution property).

An adult who is not the parent or legal guardian having physical custody of the minor (less than 18 years old) must submit a completed, notarized, "Minor Consent Form" (attachment A) to the superintendent and obtain the superintendent's approval prior to visiting with the minor.

Adults entering with a minor must have the minor's birth certificate and if the adult is not the parent or guardian, a copy of the approved minor consent form with them each time they visit.

The adult visitor must print the minor's name, date of birth and relationship to the inmate/resident in the top right-hand corner of their visiting slip.

No child who was a victim of the inmate's/resident's offense will be allowed to visit without the authorization of the Commissioner or designee.

MINOR CHILDREN MUST NOT BE LEFT ALONE ON STATE PROPERTY (I.E., IN A VEHICLE, IN THE LOBBY, ETC.)

The completed visiting slip, current identification and the vehicle registration (if the visitor has parked on the institution property) must be presented to the Central Control Room officer.

The officer must check the visiting slip to ensure that it has been completed properly. The officer will then check the transportation and barred visitor list to ensure the visitor should continue with the entrance process. The officer shall also ensure that the identification is current. The request to visit slip will then be signed and documented on the visitor's log. The Officer will note in the lower corner of the visiting slip the time which the visiting slip was processed and return the visiting slip along with the identification, etc. to the visitor.

VISITOR PROCESSING / SEARCHING OF VISITORS

Visitors must lock their cars and secure personal effects either in their cars or in a locker available in the lobby.

Once all unauthorized articles are secured, visitors must retain their locker key and be seated in the lobby until called by the visiting room processing officer.

Carrying guns or other weapons, controlled substances, alcohol, tobacco or tobacco related products, or other contraband items into or out of the institution is strictly prohibited and may result in the loss of visiting privileges' and/or criminal prosecution. The processing officer will ask each visitor if they are in possession of a weapon. No weapons will be returned to a visitor unless the visitor can show proof of license.

Once the visitor is processed and the visit begins visitors will not be allowed access to their lockers or use of the lobby pay phone. The visit shall be terminated for anyone that uses the pay phone or enters his or her locker after a visit has commenced.

Upon entering the processing area the visitor must remove all outer garments, belt, shoes, etc., and place them on the table to be searched. The visitor shall also remove all items in his/her pockets and place them in the bucket(s) provided in the process area, pockets must be turned inside out. The officer assigned to the metal detector shall inspect all items for contraband.

All visitors will be searched prior to entering the visiting room by being scanned by the walk through metal detector, hand held wand and/or pat search.

The search of the day (pat search) will be issued daily by the shift commander. The processing officer will ensure that the designated search of the day is followed and that the search is documented in logbook.

If the metal detector test and/or hand held wand scan is unsuccessful, the visitor must submit to a more extensive search. The search may require the removing of additional clothing up to and including a strip search.

The visitor will be told that he/she may leave the institution rather than submit to the search. If the visitor agrees to the search, he/she shall record such consent by printing and signing the logbook. The searching officer shall enter the date and time of the search and also print and sign the logbook consent form. The visitor search log will also be filled out by the searching officer.

In the event that the search is other than routine (i.e., search of the day). An incident report will be submitted to the shift commander explaining the circumstances and outcome of the search.

Any visitor who refuses to be searched will be told that they are barred for the day. An incident report shall be forwarded to the shift commander along with a copy of the visiting slip.

The visiting room processing officer may ask a visitor seeking admission to submit to a more extensive search, up to and including a strip search, in order to assure the officer that the visitor is not in possession of contraband. (In the case of a female wearing a feminine pad, the pad must be discarded and a new one will be issued.)

Before conducting any such extraordinary search, the officer shall relate to the shift commander the reason for suspecting that the visitor may be carrying concealed articles. Extraordinary searches may take place only with the approval of the Superintendent or his/her designee.

If the extraordinary search is authorized by the Superintendent/designee, the visitor will be told that he/she may leave the institution rather than submit to the search. If the visitor agrees to the search, he/she shall record such consent by printing and signing the logbook. The searching officer shall enter the date and time of the search, print and sign the logbook.

In the event that a visitor indicates that he/she utilizes an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator and/or pacemaker, the visitor is to produce written evidence signed by a medical doctor, documenting the presence of such device(s). The Activities Lieutenant is to be notified and an alternate means of search will be arranged. In this case the visitor will not be required to submit to a walk through or hand held metal detector search. (Refer to Institutional Procedure for 103 DOC 506.)

All visitors (male/female and children more than 13 years of age) will be stamped with the stamp of the day on the hand designated by the shift commander.

A maximum of five (5) visitors are allowed to ingress at one time. 

INSTITUTION VISITING RULES AND PROCEDURES

Conduct:

• Excessive familiarity, profanity, or serious deviation from appropriate standards of behavior may result in administrative action, such as verbal warning, termination of a visit, or loss of visiting privileges.
• Visitors are expected to dress and conduct themselves reasonably and not to engage in physical contact with inmate/residents that is excessive or inappropriate for a public place.
• Behavior which may be offensive to another visitor or inappropriate in the presence of children will not be tolerated.
• Any contact that is more than commonly acceptable as a public display of affection and which is embarrassing to others, (i.e., body caressing) or violates common standard of decency and respect will not be tolerated. One (1) notice of caution is discretionary.
• Disruptive behavior of any kind will not be tolerated.
• No straddling chairs. Furniture is not to be rearranged.
• No sitting with one person's legs crossed over another person's legs.
• Feet will remain visible at all times.
• No laying across or sitting in another's lap.
• When sitting, hands shall be in plain sight at all times.
• Inmate/residents/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 a mouth kiss).
• Inmates/residents and visitors will follow the orders of the officers assigned to the visiting room and its related areas.
• No article(s) shall be passed between visitors and inmates/residents without the permission of a visiting room officer.
• Inmates/residents 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.
• No cross visiting between inmate/residents and visitors.
• No sharing of beverages or bagged food items.
• The bathrooms in the Lobby are not to be utilized for visitors to change clothing;
• Visitors are not to leave any personal property in the bathrooms, (i.e., makeup, brushes, clothing, etc.) Any items found by staff will be confiscated;
• Visitors who appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol or have the odor of what appears to be alcohol on their breath shall be refused entrance to the facility;
• At no time will visitors and/or inmates/residents be allowed to change their seats unless directed to or given permission to do so by a visiting room staff member.
• All inmates/residents and their visitors will be permitted to remain in the visiting room from 1:00 – 8:30 p.m. without having to leave unless otherwise stated. (However, refer to section I. and II for visiting periods and amount of visits)
• Interaction between inmate/residents and another visitor or between visitors is not allowed.
• This is a smoke free facility. Smoking is prohibited.
• Inmates/residents will sit across from their visitors.  A folding table maybe used between them for food or games.

Special Rules for Children

The following additional rules apply to children:

• 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 lobby unattended. This type of behavior may be grounds for termination of the visit.
• The playroom will be restricted to children ages 2-12. The maximum number of children allowed in the playroom will be set at fifteen (15). Parents/legal guardians are not permitted in the room. The female parent/legal guardian will be allowed to escort the child to the doorway and watch, from the doorway (only), for limited periods of time in order for the child to feel comfortable.
• At no time will any inmate/resident be allowed in the room.
• The door to the playroom will be kept open at all times in order to maintain visual contact.
• Only quiet toys are allowed in the children's room and must not leave the room.
• Children are not allowed to sit on inmates/residents laps and inmates/residents are not allowed to hold children.
• Visitors will be allowed to change infant diapers in the lobby bathrooms.

Bathroom Facilities:

• Visitors must notify the visiting room officer if they need to use the bathroom facilities. Visitors must give their locker key to the visiting room officer prior to exiting the visiting room. Visitors will not be allowed to bring anything out of or into the visiting room after having utilized the bathroom facilities.
• Visitors are allowed to leave the visiting room only to utilize the rest rooms. Visitors may not leave the facility and reenter and shall not enter a locker or use the pay phone.
• Visitors shall be informed that they will be processed through the metal detector and will be required to submit to a pat search before being allowed to reenter the visiting room. The visitor will be required to print and sign the logbook.
• Violations of the above will result in termination of the visit for the day.
  5. If it is recommended that the visit be terminated for the day, the shift commander shall be notified to approve/deny the recommendation. The visitor may appeal the decision to the shift commander who will review the circumstances and make the final decision on the visitors status. If the visitor is barred for the day, an incident report shall be submitted by the barring officer to the shift commander along with a copy of the visiting slip attached.
• Visitors must return directly to their seats after reentering the visiting room.
• Inmates/residents may use the rest room located in the inmate/resident sally port area. The inmate/resident must notify the visiting room officer that he wishes to utilize the facilities. The officer shall conduct a strip search of the inmate/resident prior to allowing access to the inmate/resident rest room.
• All inmates/residents must be pat searched prior to reentering the visiting room.
• Inmates/residents and visitors are expected to assist by keeping the bathrooms clean.

Vending Machines

• Visitors are allowed to enter the visiting room with one (1) debit card with a value not exceeding twenty ($20.00) dollars per adult visitor.
• Neither visitor nor inmate/resident may purchase items from the vending machines for another inmate/resident and/or their visitor.
• All goods purchased in the visiting room shall be consumed in the visiting room. Neither the visitor nor the inmate/resident will be permitted to leave the visiting room with food or beverage.
• There will be no sharing from bagged items or drinks (i.e., drinking from the same soda or coffee cup).
• All waste products must be placed in the appropriate containers in the visiting room.

Photographs

• The Inmate/resident cameraman will take pictures during their respective visiting periods. They will also take pictures on the first Tuesday of every month for those inmates/residents who do not get visits.
• The camera, printer and ink will be secured in the file cabinet located in the visiting room. It will be the responsibility of the visiting room staff to obtain the camera and printer and to secure them at the end of the shift.
• The amount of ink and photo paper will be reviewed by the visiting room OIC to ensure that there is an adequate supply on hand, when supplies of photo paper of ink are low the visiting room OIC will submit a purchase request via the Superintendent's office.
• The inmate/resident cameraman will be held accountable for photos taken. Inmate/residents who wish to purchase photos must submit an inmate charge slip to inmate accounts. The inmate/resident who wishes to have their picture taken will give the visiting room officer his receipt for photos.
• A logbook will be maintained to identify whom had their picture taken, number of pictures taken, photographer, date printed and date delivered.
• The officer will view all photos taken. Any photos which, are inappropriate, display sexual undertones or gang affiliation/signs will be confiscated and the inmate/resident and the inmate/resident cameraman shall receive a disciplinary/observation of behavior report.
• The cameraman will print the approved photos. The photographer will give printed photos to the inmate/resident after they are printed.

VIOLATION OF RULES

Any violation of rules by an inmate/resident may result in the issuance of a disciplinary report/observation of behavior report and/or loss of visiting privileges.

Any violation of visiting rules by a visitor may result in termination of visit privileges and/or barring action.

LEGAL COUSEL / LEGAL DOCUMENTS

Conference rooms #2, #3, and #4 have been designated as areas where inmates/residents may have access to counsel and confidential contact with attorneys and their representatives.

Attorneys may request to bring necessary legal documents/paperwork into the visiting room. These documents shall be thoroughly searched but not read by the processing officer prior to entrance in accordance with 103 CMR 486 – Attorney Access Policy.

All other visitors must receive permission from the shift commander prior to being allowed to bring legal documents into the visiting room. If approved, the documents shall be thoroughly searched but not read prior to entrance. After the inmate/resident has signed/reviewed the documents, they shall be given to the visiting room officer. The visitor can retrieve the documents at the completion of the visit.

Inmates/residents wishing to bring legal documents/paperwork to a visit shall receive prior approval from the Shift Commander.

VISITORS ACCESS TO RULES AND REGULATIONS

A copy of this procedure as well as 103 CMR 483 – Visiting Policy shall be maintained in the visiting room and will be made available to any visitor who requests a copy.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE MONITORING

When an inmate/resident refuses to provide a urine sample, or receives a positive urine test and/or is found in the possession of drugs or alcohol, his visiting privileges will be suspended by the Superintendent pending a hearing by the Disciplinary Board/Behavior Review Committee.