Massachusetts Correctional Institution - Cedar Junction

The Massachusetts Correctional Institution Cedar Junction (formerly known as MCI-Walpole) is a maximum-security prison, reception and diagnostic center that is located in Walpole, Massachusetts. It houses approximately 800 adult male inmates, including the Departmental Disciplinary Unit for the most serious discipline issues, and the reception and diagnostic center that receives all male inmates into the DOC system.

During the 1970s, this facility was one of the most violent prisons in the United States. In 1973, after the Attica prison massacre, the inmates at Walpole formed a prisoners union to protect themselves from the guards, end behavior modification programs, and advocate for prisoners’ rights to healthcare, visitation with loved ones, work assignments, and the ability to send money to their families.

The union also ended the race-related violence in the prison by creating a truce. During Kwanzaa, the black prisoners were put in lockdown which angered the other inmates and led to a strike. For three months, inmates refused to work or leave their cells, which led to the guards beating inmates, putting them in solitary confinement, and denying them food and medical care.

Eventually, the strike ended when the superintendent resigned and the inmates were granted work programs and visitation rights.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting Hours at Massachusetts Correctional Institution Cedar Junction for general population contact visits are:

Sunday: 5:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 1:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Thursday: 1:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Contact Visits – Inmates assigned to the A-1, A-2, and A- 3 housing units will be eligible for contact visits. 

Visiting hours for non-contact General Population visits are:

Sunday: 1:00 pm-4:00 p.m.
Monday: 1:00 pm-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 1:00 pm-8:30 p.m.

Non-Contact Visits – Inmates assigned to Block 1, Block 2, Block 3, Block 4, Block 5, Block 6, Block 7, Block 8, and the Orientation Housing Unit will only be eligible for non-contact visits.

General Population Visiting Schedule

• SUNDAY NON-CONTACT 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8 and Orientation Unit CONTACT 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. A1, A2, and A3 
• MONDAY NON-CONTACT 1:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8 and Orientation Unit TUESDAY CONTACT 1:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. A1, A2, and A3 
• WEDNESDAY NON-CONTACT 1:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B7, B8 and Orientation Unit 
• THURSDAY CONTACT 1:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. A1, A2, and A3 
• FRIDAY and SATURDAY CLOSED

General Visiting Rules

Due to limited space availability, visitors will be processed on a first-come, first-served

basis and may be limited to one hour in duration. Visitors must arrive at least thirty minutes prior to the end of the visiting period to be processed.

Visitors/inmates will not be allowed to enter inside the facility or exit the Pedestrian

Trap/Visiting Room area between the hours of 2:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m., and between

4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. due to operational mandates.

Inmates are allowed a maximum number of three visiting periods a week during

scheduled visiting hours. 

The maximum number of visitors allowed per visit is four. However, only two of the

visitors may be adults. Note: For seating purposes only, in the Non-Contact Visiting

Room, person(s) that are the age of thirteen (13) or older will be considered an adult.

Small children should sit on the lap of the adult. If a child is too large to sit on a lap,

he/she may stand. Only one child will be permitted to stand at a time.

Before you visit, make sure your loved one has added you to their pre-approved visiting list. It is the inmate’s responsibility to notify Massachusetts Correctional Institution Cedar Junction staff as to whom may visit. Inmates at Massachusetts Correctional Institution Cedar Junction are allowed up to ten visitors on their list.

• Fill out a Visitor Application Form. Once completed, please mail this form to the facility at the address below. The Visitor Application will be processed, and you and the inmate will be notified of approval or denial.
• You must have a valid photo ID when you visit. These include: State driver’s licenses, Passports, Military ID, and Official photo ID cards that originate from any state or federal agency, including government employee ID cards and Immigration/Customs Enforcement documents.

Visitors must secure all personal belongings in their vehicles. Visitors without vehicles are provided with lockers. All visitors are subject to search.

The facility uses passive drug detecting dogs as part of the entrance procedures. They are used at random intervals to help detect the presence of illegal drugs entering the facility. These measures help to decrease violence within the facility and have a positive impact on staff and inmate safety overall. Everyone is subject to a drug detection dog search to include visitors, volunteers, correctional staff, contractors, etc.

These dogs, generally Golden Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers, are used because of their inherently gentle natures. They are always on a leash and handled by trained personnel, who will walk them past the line of visitors. They have been carefully trained to detect the presence of drugs by smell and to alert their handlers to that detection by sitting down.

Visitors are allowed to enter the visiting room with the following items, but must declare them to the processing officer:

• Money for vending machines, up to ten dollars per visitor
• Medication – Visitors who require life-saving medication on their person, must obtain prior written approval from the Superintendent to visit with such medication.
• Vehicle/locker key, if applicable.
• Baby articles – Two plastic bottles with either formula, milk, water or juice, one empty sippy cup, two infant diapers and infant wipes in a clear plastic bag, one blanket, pacifier, two plastic sealed containers of baby food, one plastic spoon, and one bib
• Engagement rings, Wedding rings/band, One (1) religious medallion, and medical alert jewelry
• A Handkerchief
• Prescription eyeglasses (no case) and hearing aids

For a detailed list of visiting rules and regulations at MCI Cedar Junction, click here.

Dress Code

• Undergarments must be worn. 
• Clothing shall not be ripped, torn, have holes or missing buttons. 
• Visitors are expected to dress in accordance with standards of decency acceptable in a public place. 
• Headwear is allowed only if pre-approved for religious purposes. 
• No jewelry is to be worn except a traditional wedding ring and/or one religious medal on a chain will be allowed and a medical alert bracelet (if applicable).
• No watches or wallets allowed. 
• Sweaters may be worn. 
• Hairpieces (i.e., toupees, wigs, extensions, weaves) may be worn but must be searched. It shall be the responsibility of the visitor to inform the officer that they are wearing a hairpiece during the search processing. 
• Garments with elastic waists may be worn. 
• Jackets or blazers may be worn as part of a suit or outfit by students participating in a clinical/internship program. 

The following items are NOT ALLOWED: 

• Boots worn above the knee (exception – boots below the knee are permitted October 15–April 15)
• Work boots
• Bare feet
• Bathing suits, shorts, any clothing with excessive pockets, metal, drawstrings, excessively baggy or tight clothing, hooded clothing, sheer, excessively revealing or transparent clothing, bodysuits of any type or wrap around shirts. (Children age 8 and younger may wear shorts)
• With the exception of undergarments, spandex or spandex type clothing is not allowed
• Any clothing that displays a gang affiliation or is in any way attributable to gang culture; additionally, clothing that is obscene, racist or displays sexual content
• Any clothing similar to that issued to an inmate or uniformed personnel, to include nursing scrubs, police, postal and utility (Class A active military uniforms are allowed)
• Fatigue or camouflage clothing
• Double layered clothing on the bottom half of the person (e.g. two pairs of pants, or skirts and slacks)
• Bibbed clothing of any type: shorts, dresses, pants, overalls, jumpers etc. (allowable for age 8 and younger)
• Hair accessories that cannot be easily removed to be searched
• Bobby pins, barrettes and ribbons
• Umbrellas, jackets, coats, vests or outerwear of any type
• Male visitors may not wear any type of blue or black jeans
• Earrings, facial/body jewelry, necklaces, bracelets and watches are not allowed. The only exception regarding jewelry is a traditional engagement ring/wedding band, religious medallion and medical alert jewelry
• Dresses, skirts and skirt slits shall not exceed three inches above the knee when standing. No wrap-around style skirts are allowed unless worn for religious reasons
• Tank tops, halter tops, muscle shirts, or clothing that reveals the midriff or excessively exposes the back. Tube tops of any type are not allowed. Sleeveless clothing is not allowed unless covered by an article of clothing, such as a sweater, that shall not be removed
• Sweatshirts, sweatpants, wind pants, and exercise clothing (allowable for age 8 and younger)
• Clothing with zippers that go the full length of the garment with the exception of outerwear (allowable for age 8 and younger)
• T-shirts with offensive logos
• Leg warmers
• Hats and head coverings of any type, unless worn for religious or medical reasons; however they must be searched prior to entering the institution
• No electronic communication devices (e.g., cell phones, electronic devices)or those capable of storing information are allowed.
• No wearing or possession of any type of glitter make-up materials to include ChapStick or lip balms, facial make-up, nail polish, eye shadow etc.

How to Call an Inmate

How to Send Money

Programs For Inmates

Departmental Services and Programs

• Core Skills 
• Criminal Thinking
• High Risk Offender Program
• Gateway to Treatment
• Graduate Maintenance Program- Substance Abuse
• Graduate Maintenance Peer Facilitator Program - Substance Abuse
• Medication Assisted Treatment Reentry Initiative
• Recreation Services
• Religious Services
• Violence Reduction

Correctional Industries

• MCI Cedar Junction is home to the license plate shop where inmates produce the license plates for the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Supplemental Academic Programs

• Education in specialized housing units 

Vocational Education Programs

• Culinary Arts Foundations I
• OSHA 
• ServSafe

Institutional Programs

• Able Minds - a book discussion group designed to shift criminal thinking and teach inmates interpersonal problem solving skills. Inmates are expected to read four to five works of literature, participate in group discussions and book analysis, and write personal reflections.
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Cognitive Skills Workshop - Cognitive-based programs that include active listening, problem solving, setting goals, asking for help, assertive communication, negotiating, and self control.
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Project Youth - a staff-supervised program where inmates talk to high school students about their personal experiences that led to their incarceration.
• Toastmaster - a public speaking program that helps inmates develop more effective communication skills. Through a series of presentations, inmates learn to express thoughts in a clear and non-threatening manner.

Pictures of Massachusetts Correctional Institution - Cedar Junction

Careers at Massachusetts Correctional Institution - Cedar Junction

If you are interested in a career with the Massachusetts Department of Corrections at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution Cedar Junction, you can find job listings by clicking here.