- State Prison
- Massachusetts
- PO Box 1069, West Concord, MA 01742
- 978-371-7941
- Official Website
- Featured
MA DOC – Northeastern Correctional 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: 978-371-7941
This facility is for adult inmates.
The inmates housed at Northeastern Correctional located at 976 Barretts Mill Rd
in West Concord, 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.
The facility mission begins with providing inmates with solid work ethics and programs with the objective of releasing them back into our communities with a clear direction of their future by providing structured educational, vocational, substance abuse and work release opportunities. Through sound security practices and classification process, they strive to provide a safe and humane environment for both the inmate and staff.
The Pre-Release program is designed to screen eligible level-two inmates who are within eighteen months of their release and provide them with outside employment. The pre-release work program benefits the inmate by providing work with the goal to financially re-establish them once they are released from incarceration. The pre-release program also rewards the employer by offering the " Work Opportunity Tax Credit ." An employer can deduct forty-percent of the first $6000.00 of gross wages for each inmate hired.
Selected inmates are also involved with the National Education for Assistance Dog Services N.E.A.D.S program. Inmates are selected to train specialty dogs to assist people who have aural or other physical disabilities. The puppy or dog is placed with the inmate handler where they accompany him all around the minimum-security facility, from the chow hall to the visiting room where they will socialize with lots of people and children. The handlers will attend weekly classes where they will learn to teach puppies to respond to basic obedience commands such as sit, down, stand, heel, come and stay. Later on, the handlers will learn how to teach the puppies to fetch objects, tug doors open, turn light switches on and off as well as work next to a wheelchair. The dogs will eventually be returned to NEADS for "finish" work and then be placed with a person with a physical disability.
A fluctuating staff of 87 correctional officers and administrative support personnel supervised and managed an inmate population that averaged 220 inmates per day in 2003.
Programs Available at This Facility
African America Cultural Studies Series: Lecture series on African American History, Law, Economics and Art. This program is facilitated at Northeastern Correctional Center.
Alternatives to Violence (AVP): A volunteer facilitated a 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.
American Red Cross First Aid and CPR Courses: Program providing inmates information and training about First Aid and CPR. This program is facilitated at Northeastern Correctional Center.
Anger Management Education: Six-week program that focuses on managing anger and preventing violence. This program is facilitated at Northeastern Correctional Center.
Art Program: Vendor facilitated programming. Inmates learn skills in different art modalities and the opportunity to work on individual projects. The goal of this programming is to encourage inmates to develop self-esteem and self-awareness through expressive arts. This program is facilitated at Massachusetts Treatment Center and Northeastern Correctional Center.
Chess Club: Staff supervised program where inmates learn how to play chess, tournaments are also held. This program provides a structured environment where chess enthusiasts from beginners to advanced players can learn more about the aspects of the game. This program is facilitated at MCI Norfolk, Northeastern Correctional Center and Old Colony Correctional Center..
Christian Action Fellowship Program: A weekly ecumenical fellowship conducted by volunteers designed to foster Christian attitudes & growth and provide a forum in which spiritual issues can be discussed. This program is facilitated at Northeastern Correctional Center.
Emotional Awareness and Healing: Volunteer coordinated program designed to foster emotional and spiritual growth and promote responsibility and accountability toward one's 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.
Family Day Program: Offered four times per year, volunteer's design structured activities that allow inmates to interact with their children. This program is facilitated at Northeastern Correctional Center.
Family Relations: Offered quarterly, volunteers teach parenting and interpersonal communication skills. This program is facilitated at Northeastern 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.
Healthy Survival Skills: Short-term program that teaches skills to reduce stress and assist inmates in eliminating negative thoughts and behavior. A smoking cessation component is also included. This program is facilitated at MCI Concord and Northeastern Correctional Center.
Jehovah's Witness Bible Study Program: Staff supervised, volunteer facilitated program during which Jehovah Witness volunteers meet with inmates to conduct a Bible Study session for the purpose of providing further opportunities for spiritual growth and health. This program is facilitated at MCI Concord and Northeastern Correctional Center.
Job Search: Eight-week program designed to prepare inmates for job searching upon release. Topics include developing realistic expectations, utilizing employment resources, identifying interests, skills and values and preparing for interviews. This program is facilitated at Northeastern Correctional Center.
Music Theory Program: Staff supervised program that enables participants to learn basic music theory, comprehension and practice. Inmates join bands to rehearse and perform. In cell use of instruments varies among facilities. It is often limited to those inmates that can be utilized with headphones and do not disrupt the housing unit. This program is facilitated at Bridgewater State Hospital, Massachusetts Treatment Center, MCI Norfolk, MCI Shirley, North Central Correctional Institution, North Central Correctional Institution – Minimum Unit, Northeastern Correctional Center and Old Colony 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.
Nutrition Series: Program at NECC consisting of three workshops: Weight Loss without Starvation; Diet for a Healthy Heart; and Power Eating – Building Muscle Not Fat. This program is facilitated at Northeastern 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.
Poetry, Writing and Book Discussion Workshop: Staff facilitated program that allows inmates to read and write poems and other forms of writing, listen to one another's writing, and revise their own work. This program is facilitated at Northeastern 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.
Spanish Bible Study : Chaplain and/or volunteer facilitated Spanish Bible study. This program is facilitated at Northeastern Correctional Center.
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 MCI Norfolk, MCI Shirley, Northeastern Correctional Center, Old Colony Correctional Center and Souza Baranowski Correctional Center.
visitation Info
MA DOC – Northeastern Correctional Center – Visitation
Visiting hours
| DAY | HOURS | INMATE LAST NAME | LOCATION |
| Tuesdays | 6:00 pm-9:00 pm | Open to all inmates | Visiting Room |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm-3:30 pm | A thru L | Visiting Room |
| Saturday | 6:00 pm-9:00 pm | M thru Z | Visiting Room |
| Sunday | 12:30 pm-3:30 pm | M thru Z | Visiting Room |
| Sunday | 6:00 pm-9:00 pm | A thru L | Visiting Room |
| Holiday** Excluding Suffolk County Holidays |
12:30 pm-3:30 pm |
Open to all inmates | Visiting Room |
Visiting days and times may be subject to change. Please call the facility to verify visiting schedules.
**Holidays-Visitors are allowed to visit at either visiting period. No visitor shall be allowed to visit more than once per day. Inmates will be allowed to receive visits at both visiting periods.
Visitors will not be processed for entrance after 2:45pm for afternoon visiting hours or 8:00pm for evening visiting hours.
Visitors shall not be allowed on the property until the start of visiting hours.
Visitors may only be allowed to use the restrooms after being completely processed by the Visiting Room Officer.
All inmates are eligible to receive visits except those inmates who as a result of a disciplinary sanction have had their visiting privileges suspended. In addition, any inmate determined by the Shift Commander to pose a substantial threat to institutional security may also be restricted from access to the visiting room. It will be the inmate's responsibility to inform family and friends of any suspended visiting privileges and visiting rules and regulations.
A total of 4 adults may visit an inmate at one time, with an unlimited amount of children. The length of visits will not be limited, however, due to space restraints it may become necessary for the Shift Commander to limit the length of visits during an over crowded visiting period. The decision to end a particular inmate's visit will be determined by a visitor's arrival time. Those visitors who have been in the visiting room the longest will be the first to be asked to leave.
Nothing in this section shall limit the access of attorneys, law students, and/or paralegal as authorized. These visitors will be allowed to visit in the Visiting Room at a table separated from the general population visits. The area will be visible to Visiting Room Staff, but will allow for confidential contact.
Special visits (family emergencies, extensive travel) will be approved through the Superintendent on a case by case basis. Clergy visits and DSS visits with minor children will be arranged through an inmate's Correctional Program Officer and the Director of Treatment. All information will then be forwarded to the Director of Security to coordinate the visit with the Shift Commander.
Children's conduct and actions are the responsibility of the accompanying parent(s) and/or legal guardian at all times.
Staff will issue a verbal warning to parents or guardians at the first instance when a child's behavior is determined to be reckless, loud, or disturbing. Subsequent behavior shall result in the termination of the visit for that day and possibly a more extensive bar if circumstances warrant.
A visitor may visit only one (1) inmate at NECC. Exceptions to this rule may be made for visitors when multiple family members are housed at the same facility and only with the written permission of the Superintendent.
A visitor may only visit once per day.
All visitors' must be at least 18 years of age or be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Parents must present valid birth certificates for all minor children with the parent's name appearing on the birth certificate. Legal guardians accompanying minors must present legal documentation proving legal guardianship, as well as a valid birth certificate. Any minor visiting without their parent or legal guardian must have an approved Minor Consent Form as well as a valid birth certificate. The Minor Consent form must be approved by the Superintendent of Northeastern Correctional Center and specifically denote the adult accompanying the minor. These forms are available in the library, the Visiting/Recreation Building, or in the Superintendent's Office.
A child will not be allowed in the visiting room without the above mentioned paperwork.
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.
No one may visit an inmate temporarily confined in an outside hospital (other than the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Correctional Unit). Inmate who are medically determined to be in critical condition or in imminent danger of death may be allowed to have visits if the Superintendent has provided authorization.
Visitors may drop off checks or money orders during visiting periods in the drop off box in the visiting room lobby. This should be done prior to the visiting period. There will be no receipts provided to visitors.
Public transportation schedules and Visiting Room rules are posted in the visiting room. A visitor may request a copy of these rules at the time of their visit.
Procedures for entering Northeastern Correctional Center:
All visitors visiting inmates will sign in with staff at the Visiting/Recreation Building. At that time, all visitors will complete the "Request to Visit an Inmate" form for staff review and present valid photo identification. A valid photo identification consists of a current driver's license, a valid passport, Military ID, alien immigration card, or a Department of Transitional Assistance card only. Anyone convicted of a felony shall not be allowed to visit without the written consent of the Superintendent of Northeastern Correctional Center. Felony approval forms are located in the visiting room lobby.
All vehicles are subject to being searched. All searches will be conducted in accordance with established policy. All visitors are required to lock their vehicles prior to entering the Institution. A vehicle found to be unlocked may result in the visit being terminated for the day.
All visitors are subject to search. All searches will be conducted in accordance with established policy. All visitors shall empty and turn out pockets of pants, shirts, and/or coats. All visitors are required to pass through a hand held metal detector prior to entering the visiting room. Each inmate visitors shall be scanned with a hand held metal detector prior to entering the visiting room. If the visitor does not pass the metal detector search, the Shift Commander shall be notified for permission to conduct a personal search of the visitor. The Shift Commander shall be responsible for ensuring that a certain number of inmate visitor personal searches are conducted each shift, each day there are visiting hours. Those visitors designated as personal searches shall remove their footwear, coat, and run their own thumbs along their waistband. All visitors that are required to submit to a personal searched shall sign an entry in the Visitor Search Logbook denoting that they have been searched. Any visitor that does not consent to a personal search shall be given the opportunity to leave the facility, unless:
-The employee has those arrest powers granted by MGL, 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/her person.
-A consent to search form needs to be authorized by the Institution Duty Officer for searches required above and beyond personal searches and metal detector searches.
Visitors shall not be allowed into the visiting room with any weapons, keys (other than locker keys) wallets, purses, food, beverages, medication, matches, lighters, cigars/cigarettes/tobacco products, cameras, tape recorders, radios, beepers, cellular phones, diaper bags, money, and/or jewelry (other that what is allowed in the Visitor's Dress Code). All items must be locked in a personal vehicle or in the lockers located in the lobby. Once items have been secured, access to these areas will not be allowed until the end of the visit, unless access to medication is necessary.
Lockers are provided as a convenience. The Institution is not responsible for any articles left within. Lockers cost seventy-five cents to activate.
Visitors shall not carry any guns or other weapons, controlled substances, alcohol, smoking material, tobacco and tobacco related products or any other articles whatsoever into or out of the institution. Any violation to this shall result in the loss of visiting privileges and criminal prosecution.
Attempting to introduce contraband or any article into or out of the Institution, or violation of institution visiting regulations may result in the revocation of visiting privileges, and/or arrest in accordance with M.G.L., Chapter 268, section 26-31.
Any person who delivers, procures to be delivered, has in his possession with intent to deliver to a prisoner, or whoever deposits or conceals in or about the institution any article with intent that a prisoner shall receive it and whoever, receives from a prisoner any article contrary to rules and regulations, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00 or by imprisonment in a State Prison for not more than three years or in a jail of House of Correction for not more than two and a half years.
Visitors deemed by the visiting room officer to be under the influence of drugs an/or alcohol will not be allowed to enter the facility.
Only visitors may use the pay phones located in the lobby of the visiting room. Inmates are not allowed to utilize these phones or be in the area while phones are being used.
All visits are restricted to the Visiting Room building. Visitors shall not wander around the lobby or grounds of the institution, and shall be restricted to the seating area only. All visitors will utilize the appropriate bathrooms located in the visiting room lobby.
Visitors and inmates will be responsible for cleaning up after themselves in the areas that they visit.
Smoking and possession of smoking materials is strictly prohibited.
Visitors shall be expected to dress and conduct themselves in a manner that is appropriate for a public setting. Visitors and inmates will not engage in
inappropriate physical contact. Serious deviation from appropriate standards of behavior may result in administrative action being taken to include verbal warnings, termination of visit, and/or termination of visiting privileges.
Disruptive actions that threaten the security or the orderly operation of the Institution shall result in the termination of the visit after approval of the Shift Commander. In all cases, Visiting Room staff will forward detailed reports to the Superintendent.
The Shift Commander and/or the Superintendent have the authority to cancel visits at any time due to security issues or inclement weather without prior notice.
Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 266, Section 123 states in part that it is considered to be criminal trespassing to refuse to leave an Institution after being ordered to do so by an Officer.
All chairs in the visiting room must remain facing the table. At no time are chairs to be placed at the end of the tables.
Inmates and visitors feet must remain on the floor at all times. At no time should they be draped over each other or otherwise entwined.
