Massachusetts Correctional Institution – Norfolk

The Massachusetts Correctional Institution Norfolk is a medium-security prison for male inmates that is located in Norfolk, Massachusetts. It has a population of approximately 1,500 inmates. It is the largest prison in the Commonwealth.

MCI Norfolk was founded in 1927 as the Norfolk Prison Colony, which was a “model prison community” created by sociologist and penologist Howard Belding Gill.

Civil rights activist Malcolm X was an inmate at MCI-Norfolk, and he attended the prison school to further his education beyond the eighth grade. It was at the prison library where Malcolm X fell in love with reading. He learned how to articulate an argument as part of the Norfolk Debating Society.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting Hours at Massachusetts Correctional Institution Norfolk are:

Sunday-Wednesday: 1:00 pm-8:30 pm
Saturday: 1:00 pm-8:30 pm

For more information about visits at MCI-Norfolk, you can find the 30-page booklet by clicking here.

General Visiting Rules

Lockers are available to visitors at a cost of one quarter per locker. Each time a visitor secures the locker, they will need to deposit an additional quarter. 

The only items that visitors will be allowed to carry into the Institution are: locker keys, Request to Visit Inmate forms, One debit card per adult visitor, life saving medications (if approved and declared), and approved jewelry.

Prior to entering the Institution, each visitor will be called to the Visitor Processing Center window. An Officer will ask each visitor the following questions:  

• “Did you lock up all unauthorized belongings?” 
• Do you have any weapons, guns, ammunition, drugs, medication, handcuff keys, money, jewelry, cell phones, electronic devices, gum, candy, or any other unauthorized items?” 

Upon entering the Visitor Processing Search Room, each visitor must remove their: belt, shoes, and outerwear (i.e. coats, sweaters, multiple shirts, etc.). An Officer will search these items. The visitor will be directed to stand/sit in the designated pre-screen search area. 

Upon completion of the personal items search, each visitor shall be directed to walk thru a fixed metal detector. 

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 skirt 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 medallionㅡand 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

Academic Education Programs

• ESL I -Beginner
• ESL II - Intermediate
• ESL III - Advanced
• Adult Basic Education
• Pre-Adult Secondary Education
• Adult Secondary Education
• Boston University
• Tutor Training Program

Department Service and Programs

• Correctional Recovery Academy
• Criminal Thinking
• General Population Maintenance Program
• Graduate Maintenance Program - Substance Abuse
• Medication-Assisted Treatment Reentry Initiative
• Recreation Services
• Religious Services
• Violence Reduction
• Volunteer Services

Correctional Industries

MCI-Norfolk is the largest correctional industries operation in the state. Inmates work in a wide range of manufacturing settings, including a clothing shop, mattress shop, janitorial shop, metal operation, binder shop, furniture assembly shop, and upholstery shop.

Technology Education Programs

• Introduction to Microsoft Office
• Advanced Microsoft Office

Vocational Education Programs

• Barber Training
• Culinary Arts Foundations I
• OSHA
• Servsafe
• Welding

Institutional Programs

• Able Minds
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Alternatives to Violence
• American Veterans in Prison
• Career Pathway Workshop
• Chess Club
• Countdown to Freedom
• Emotional Awareness/Houses of Healing Program
• HIV/AIDS Education
• Jericho Circle
• Leadership and Transformational Thinking
• Mindfulness
• Meditation and Resiliency
• Money Smart 
• Music Theory Program
• Narcotics Anonymous
• National Education for Assistant Dog Services - Puppy Program
• Parenting/Family Services
• Path of Freedom
• Poetry Group
• Prison Fellowship
• Project Youth
• Read To Me Daddy
• Restorative Justice Monthly Book Group
• Restorative Justice Reading Group
• Restorative Justice Mindfulness Program
• Restorative Justice Sunday Sessions
• Self/Help Twelve Stop Programs
• Toastmasters
• Victim Offender Education Group
• VOSH/NECO 

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