Shea Farm Transitional Housing Unit

The Shea Farm Transitional Housing Unit (formerly called the Shea Farm Halfway House) is a minimum-security correctional facility that houses female inmates who are nearing the end of their sentence with the New Hampshire Department of Corrections. Shea Farm is located in Concord, New Hampshire and can house a maximum of 40 residents.

The majority of the residents at Shea Farm have six months or less remaining on their sentence. This transitional facility is part of the Division of Community Corrections, and is the final stage of an inmate's incarceration as they prepare to transition back to their communities.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting hours at the Shea Farm Transitional Housing Unit are as follows:

Monday:               6:00 - 9:00 pm - A Dorm
Wednesday:         6:00 pm - 9:00 pm - B Dorm
Friday:                   6:00 pm - 9:00 pm - C Dorm
Saturday:              9:00 am - 12:00 pm - B Dorm
                               2:00 pm - 5:00 pm - C Dorm
                               6:00 pm - 9:00 pm - A Dorm
Sunday:                 9:00 am - 12:00 pm - C Dorm
                               2:00 pm - 5:00 pm - A Dorm
                               6:00 pm - 9:00 pm - B Dorm

Visiting is a privilege. Residents are authorized two visits weekly between Sunday and Saturday. Visits from attorneys, clergy, or other "official" visitors are not counted against this quota.

General Visiting Rules

All visitors must fill out an application and get approval from the New Hampshire DOC before they can visit a resident at Shea Farm Transitional Housing Unit.

Residents are allowed an unlimited number of family members on their visiting lists. All visitors will undergo a criminal background check prior to approval.

For up-to-date information about visiting hours and rule changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, click here. As of August 2021, both video visits and in-person visits are authorized.

In-person visitors will be required to complete the screening form and visitor release statement to visit. Notice will be posted to residents and potential visitors on the format of these in person visits to ensure awareness and compliance with protective measures in place.

Studies show that residents who maintain contact with friends and family throughout their incarceration have a greater chance of rehabilitation and a lower risk of recidivism. Sending mail is one of the easiest ways to stay in touch with an inmate housed at Shea Farm. For security reasons there are a few restrictions on what may be included in a letter/postcard. 

To address mail to a resident, you should use their full name and ID number, along with the address of the facility.

How to Call an Inmate

You can't call a resident at the Shea Farm Transitional Housing Unit, but they do have access to phones during certain hours and are allowed to make outgoing calls. 

How to Send Money

To send money to a resident at the Shea Farm Transitional Housing Unit, you must mail a personal check or money order directly to the facility AND you must be an approved visitor on the inmate's visiting list.

You cannot send cash in the mail. The check or money order must be made payable to the resident and include their name and identification number. Your name and complete return address should be written legibly on both the envelope and on the money order/check. The check or money order will be deposited into the Shea Farm resident's personal account.

Programs For Inmates

• Work release
• Re-entry planning includes assistance in resume and cover letter writing and obtaining official documents
• Outings
• Educational/study release
• Counseling
• Seeking Safety
• Industries firewood project
• Community

There are numerous services available to the residents of Shea Farm through the Family Connections Center (FCC). 

Parenting Program

All mothers at Shea Farm can attend the weekly parenting support group. Mothers who have completed the FCC parenting program in prison can continue with the internet video visits and record books on CD's to send home.

FCC Parenting Classes – An eighteen-hour parenting class based upon the Family Focus curriculum created by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. This class must be successfully completed before a resident can participate in all other FCC activities. 

Parenting Support Groups – These groups offer incarcerated parents an opportunity to share and learn from each other and support each other as mothers who are separated from their families. 

Healthy Relationship Class – A 10-hour class to learn how to communicate with all people, including romantic partners. Different types of relationships are discussed and there is an educational component on domestic violence.

Books-on-CD – Incarcerated parents can record stories and songs on CDs and send them home with two brand new books. 

Video/Virtual Visitation – Incarcerated parents can apply to have visits with their children via a webcam over the internet through a free service from Skype®.

Life Skills Seminars – Community volunteers at FCC lead seminars that the residents can attend. They include: When Your Income Drops, When Parenting Styles Differ, Ages and Stages of Child Development, Moral Development, Conflict Resolution and a Literacy Seminar, Money Management, Nutrition.

Pictures of Shea Farm Transitional Housing Unit

Careers at Shea Farm Transitional Housing Unit

If you are interested in a career with the New Hampshire Department of Corrections and would like more information about the job openings at the Shea Farm Transitional Housing Unit, click here.