MCI Framingham

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arhunt Posted: 08-03-2007 9:58 AM

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Lynn Bissonnette, Superintendent
99 Loring Drive
PO Box 9007
Framingham, MA 01701
Phone (508) 532-5100

MCI-Framingham is a medium security correctional facility for female offenders, located twenty-two miles west of Boston. MCI-Framingham is the Massachusetts Department of Correction's only committing institution for female offenders. It is noted as the oldest female correctional institution in operation in the united states. The facility houses women at various classification levels, including state sentenced and county offenders, and awaiting trial inmates. The facility consists of four housing units within the compound, plus a two story 120+ bed modular housing unit. Also situated within the compound is a health service unit. The old administration building is presently used for inmate programming. The Betty Cole Smith Building includes inmate visiting, admissions processing area, administrative offices in addition to housing units.

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, vocational, library, religious, recreation, and community service programs. 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.

From Boston: Take the Massachusetts Turnpike West to exit 13 (Route 3O/Framingham/Natick). Bear right off the exit ramp onto Route 30 West. After approximately 1 mile, turn left onto Route 126 South. Go through downtown Framingham, crossing a set of railroad tracks and Route 135. Turn left onto Irving Street (Store 24 on right). Go through 2 sets of traffic lights and at the third set go straight past Fire Station on left. MCI-Framingham is approximately 1/4 of a mile down on the left.


From the North: Take Route 495 South to the Massachusetts Turnpike East. Take exit 12 (Route 9 East). Take a right onto Route 126 South. Go through downtown Framingham, crossing a set of railroad tracks and Route 135. Turn left onto Irving Street (Store 24 on right). Go through 2 sets of traffic lights and at the third set go straight past Fire Station on left. MCI-Framingham is approximately 1/4 of a mile down on the left.


From the South: Take Route 495 North to the Massachusetts Turnpike East. Take exit 12 (Route 9 East). Take a right onto Route 126 South. Go through downtown Framingham, crossing a set of railroad tracks and Route 135. Turn left onto Irving Street (Store 24 on right). Go through 2 sets of traffic lights and at the third set go straight past Fire Station on left. MCI-Framingham is approximately 1/4 of a mile down on the left.


From the East: Take the Massachusetts Turnpike West to exit 13 (Route 3O/Framingham/Natick). Bear right off the exit ramp onto Route 30 West. After approximately 1 mile, turn left onto Route 126 South. Go through downtown Framingham, crossing a set of railroad tracks and Route 135. Turn left onto Irving Street (Store 24 on right). Go through 2 sets of traffic lights and at the third set go straight past Fire Station on left. MCI-Framingham is approximately 1/4 of a mile down on the left.


From the West: Take the Massachusetts Turnpike East to exit 12 (Route 9 East). Take a right onto Route 126 South. Go through downtown Framingham, crossing a set of railroad tracks and Route 135. Bear left onto Irving Street (Store 24 on right). Go through 2 sets of traffic lights and at the third set go straight past Fire Station on left. MCI-Framingham is approximately 1/4 of a mile down on the left.

VISITING HOURS
Inmates in the general population may have visits on Tuesday and Thursday. The hours are from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

On weekdays, visitor processing stops from 3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. If visitors are inside the Visiting Room prior to 3:45 p.m. they may remain inside until 5:00 p.m. or when count clears. On weekends, visitors must have a visitor’s pass prior to 3:30 p.m. to visit the first half. Tuesday and Thursdays, visitors must have a visitor’s pass prior to 8:15 p.m. to visit the second half.

• Holiday schedules shall follow the visiting schedule for the assigned day, unless otherwise authorized by the Superintendent.

Inmates are allowed a maximum number of five (5) visits per week during scheduled visiting hours. During weekdays an inmate may remain in the visiting room throughout both visiting period if they desire. 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 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. then the inmate shall be charged with 2 visiting periods). No visitor or inmate shall be allowed to enter or exit the visiting room between 2:50 p.m. and 3:10 p.m. due to change of shift and between 4:15 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. due to the major count. Maximum number of visitors allowed per visit will be two (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 accommodate 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 have been sentenced to a penal institution must complete a Felony / Background Form and receive permission from the Superintendent, prior to visiting.

Visitors must present a photo identification, which, in the opinion of the admitting officer(s) is adequate. A current MA. Driver’s license, passport or an identification card issued by the Department of Transitional Assistance shall be sufficient. Visitors may be requested to produce their vehicle registration.

Attorney, law student, and paralegal visits will be conducted in one of the three designated attorney-visiting rooms. This will allow offenders confidential contact with their attorneys and/or representatives.

SPECIAL VISITS
Superintendent shall approve special visits (I.E. Extended hours/visitors).

Request for Special Visits must be made in writing one week in advance. Request made outside this time frame due to a family crisis or emergency shall be handled on and individual basis.

Inmate must request the special visit through their respective Unit Manager. The Unit Manager will review same and make a recommendation to Superintendent.

MINOR CONSENT FORMS

1. No child who was a victim of the inmate’s offense shall be authorized to visit without the authorization of the Commissioner or designee.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. If the adult entering with a minor is the minor's Legal Guardian and has 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.
   
   
4. 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.
   
   
5. Staff at Outer Control shall ensure that the parent entering the facility with a minor presents a copy of the child's birth certificate and verify that they are the parent noted on said birth certificate.
   
   
6. Staff shall ensure that the legal guardian entering the facility with a minor presents a copy of the court document proving they are the minor's legal guardian if they have been court appointed as Legal Guardian, along with a copy of the child's birth certificate and appropriate identification.
   
   
7. If there is no approved Minor Consent Form on file, the officer will give the individual a blank form and advise them that the form must be completed by the minor's parent or legal guardian, then submitted to the Superintendent with necessary documentation for approval.
   
   
8. 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, which may be obtained from a Unit Team member. The inmate must ensure that:
   
   
   1. The form is filled out completely, noting the name and address of the adult that will bring the minor to MCI Framingham.
      
   2. A copy of the birth certificate is provided for attachment to the Minor Consent Form.
      
      

9. Once a. and b. have been completed, the information should be forwarded to the Superintendent for approval. 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 .
   
   

10. If the Minor Consent Form is on file and the individual accompanying the minor is listed as being authorized to bring the child to visit, the minor will be allowed to enter with the accompanying adult.
    
    
11. If the minor consent form on file does not list the individual accompanying the minor as being authorized to bring the child in, the minor will not be allowed to enter the facility.
    

VENDING MACHINES

1. The machines and their contents are made available for inmates and their visitors for their personal consumption in the visiting room.
   
   
2. There will be no food or drink removed from the visiting area by any visitor or inmate.
   
   
3. It is the responsibility of the inmate to ensure that all trash is deposited into the appropriate receptacles.
   
   
4. Abuse of the machines may result in the suspension of visiting privileges or use of vending machines.
   
   
5. Sharing of food products and or/drinks will not be allowed. Food or drinks will not be allowed in the children's area.
   

PARENTING ROOM

1. Inmates who receive visits, which include small children, are encouraged to utilize the parenting room in the visiting area.
   
   
2. All children must be supervised by the guardian or parent at all times.
   
   
3. All toys are to remain in the parenting room and be put away at the end of the visit.
   
   
4. Inmates and visitors who abuse the privileges of the parenting room may be subject to loss of visiting privileges.
   
   
5. Food or beverages are not allowed in the parenting room.
   

VISITOR DRESS CODE
All visitors, 14 years of age or older, are required to adhere to the dress code. Any questionable clothing issues shall be directed to the Visitor Processing Sgt./Officer in charge.

The following IS NOT acceptable for visitors entering MCI-Framingham:

• Bare feet

• Bathing suits, shorts, any clothing with excessive pockets, drawstrings, excessively baggy or tight clothing, hooded clothing, sheer, excessively revealing or transparent clothing and bodysuits of any type.

• Any clothing that displays a gang affiliation or is in any way attributable to gang culture; additionally, clothing that is obscene, racial or displays sexual content is not allowed.

• Any clothing similar to that issued to an inmate or uniformed personnel.

• Double layered clothing on the bottom half of their person (e.g., two (2) pairs of pants, two (2) pairs of underpants, or skirt and slacks, etc.)

• Farmer jeans of any type: shorts, dress, pants, overalls, jumper, etc.

• Fatigue or camouflage clothing.

• Hair ribbons, bands, barrettes, or hair accessories of any type.

• Jackets, coats or vests of any type.

• Jeans of any type or color are not allowed by males at male facilities and females at female facilities.

• Jewelry – No earrings, facial jewelry, necklaces, bracelets or watches allowed. The only exception is a wedding ring and medical alert jewelry.

• Leather, or clothing with excessive metal.

• Flip-flops

• Dresses or skirts will not exceed 4" above the knee, no slits or openings extending 4" above the knee. Wrap around skirts.

• Sleeveless clothing, tank tops, halter-tops, muscle shirts, or clothing that reveals the midriff or exposes the back. Tube tops of any type are not allowed.

• Sweatshirts, sweatpants, wind pants or exercise clothing.

• Ties

• Zippers that go the full length of the garment.

• T-shirts with logos are not allowed; however, shirts without a collar will be allowed.

• Leg warmers

• Hospital type gowns/clothing/scrubs.

• Hats of any type.

• No cell phones or pagers allowed.

Note:    All clothing worn must be neat and presentable. Traditional undergarments (bras and underpants) must be worn. All shirts or tops must be tucked into clothing and must remain tucked in at all times. Religious clothing/headgear may be allowed and is subject to search. The Shift Commander will be the final approving authority

**NOTE**, Elderly visitors, pregnant females or individuals with medical documentation of an existing condition may be allowed to wear clothing (pants) with an elastic waistband.

INSTITUTION RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. Upon entrance to the Visiting Room, inmates will provide the Visiting Room Officer their institutional pass and institutional ID card.
   
   
2. 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. Seating will be monitored by the Visiting Room Sergeant or the Officer in Charge.
   
   
3. Inmate 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.
   
   
4. Inmates are not allowed to take or give any item to or from 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.
   
   
5. Visitors will be allowed to use the toilet facilities in the Visiting Room, when necessary. The visitor must submit to a pat search prior to re-entering the Visiting Room. The Visitor will be required to sign the Search Log upon completion. Whenever a child uses the bathroom an adult shall be present prior to conducting the pat search. If the adult enters the toilet facilities with the child, they are also subject to a pat search.
   
   
6. The toilet facilities shall be searched prior to any visitor entering and after the visitor has exited and a pat search of the visitor has been completed.
   
   
7. Footwear must be worn in the visiting room.
   
   
8. No jewelry other than a wedding ring and medical bracelet may be worn into the visiting room.
   
   
9. Medication that has been approved by the Shift Commander must be kept at the desk in an envelope. All envelopes are to be marked with the visitor's name and contents of envelope.
   
   
10. No gum, cigarettes, candy, medication, money, or other items not authorized for retention by a visitor will be allowed into the visiting room. These items are to be secured in the lockers located in the visitors lobby.
    
    
11. The introduction of guns, controlled substances, alcohol or other weapons is cause for loss of visiting privileges as well as criminal prosecution.
    
    
12. 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.
    
    
13. Visitors may purchase a debit card in the lobby for vending machine purchases. Money is not allowed in the visiting room.
    
    
14. When visitors have an infant or small child, they will be allowed to bring two (2) clear plastic bottles with either formula, milk, water or juice. A cloth diaper/and or receiving blanket will be allowed.
    
    
15. Visitors may only visit with one inmate at a time during their incarceration at MCI-Framingham unless special approval has been provided by the Superintendent or her designee. (Visitors cannot visit one inmate on one day and another inmate on another day).
    
    
16. 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.
    
    
17. 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 into the account of the person they are visiting.
    
    
18. Visitors to MCI Framingham, their vehicles and their possessions are subject to search while on state property.
    
    
19. 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.
    
    
20. 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.
    
    
21. 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. If requested by staff, a copy of the registration must be produced. Visitors are not allowed to loiter in the parking lot.

Programs Available at This Facility

Aid to Incarcerated Mothers: Volunteers from Aid to Incarcerated Mothers provide child custody education workshops and transportation for children from the Boston area to visit their mothers. These workshops and services are available at MCI Framingham and South Middlesex Correctional Center.

Catch the Hope: Vendor facilitated program that provides medical and social services to pregnant and post­partum inmates.  This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham.

Choices: This program is designed to have an impact on young girls who are risk to be violent and participate in criminal activity.  Inmates discuss their own criminal and violent histories in an attempt to provide a new perspective to these youthful offenders.  This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham.

Current Events: A volunteer facilitated program focused on informing the inmates of issues that are occurring in society that affect them now and will continue to affect them upon release.  This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham.

DSS Visit Coordination: Staff coordinate meetings between inmates and DSS 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: Staff coordinated program that focuses on treatment and prevention strategies for women involved in domestic violence.  This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham.

Eldercare: Chaplain supervised and volunteer coordinated program in which inmates create small crafts for senior citizen centers.  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: Staff 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.

Girl Scouts Beyond Bars: Volunteers from the Patriots Girl Scout Council hold a Girl Scout meeting with inmates and their daughters every other Saturday.  There is also a community Girl Scout Troop for the daughters. This program is designed to promote positive parenting and encourage communication.  Inmates are required to attend parenting sessions weekly while involved in this program.  This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham and South Middlesex Correctional Center.

Healthy Human Relationships: An eight-week, staff facilitated program designed to assist inmates in distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy relationship.  This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham.

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 Education Program: Staff 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 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.

Parents Anonymous/Parenting Support: Offered weekly, volunteers facilitate a child abuse prevention self-help program.  This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham.

Reading for the Blind Program: Staff facilitated program in which inmates record text books onto audio tapes for Framingham State College students with disabilities.  This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham.

Self-Esteem Group: Staff 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.

Teacher Assistance Program: Through the coordination of the Catholic Chaplain at MCI Framingham and South Middlesex Correctional Center, the volunteers will reach out to 8-12 primary school teachers about classroom needs, bulletin boards, posters, classroom decorations and other projects similar in nature.  This program will benefit various communities by providing school districts and teachers with a resource to help with the classroom aids.  Inmates benefit by providing them with the opportunity to participate in a positive and meaningful activity that benefits the community.  This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham and South Middlesex Correctional Center.

Women's HIV and AIDS Network: Through DPH and Great Brook Valley Health Center, Inc., inmates are provided HIV/AIDS education, support groups and individual counseling.  Aftercare case management services are also provided for HIV+ inmates to set up substance abuse treatment, medical care, and social and support services in the community. An advanced education component is provided for those inmates who serve as peer educators.  A component of this program includes crocheting afghans for donation to hospitals with neonatal intensive care units and programs for HIV+ infants.  This program is facilitated at MCI Framingham.