DOC, HOC & COVID-19

The Department of Corrections issued a Q&A (March 24th) stating: 

• All visits have been suspended as of March 12th

• All prisoners (including those who lost phone privileges) are allowed two free 30-minute calls per week

• Attorney visits are allowed, except at the Massachusetts Treatment Center due to confirmed Covid-19 cases in the facility

• Medical co-pays are temporarily waived

On March 17th, the DOC imposed a moratorium on the discipline and suspensions of correctional officers in the name of keeping staffing levels during this emergency.

This moratorium was rescinded the following day (March 18th) after major push back from advocates concerned about correctional officers’ potential impunity, especially relevant after the recent reports of abuse by correctional officers at MCI Souza Baranowski earlier this year.