Massachusetts Correctional Institution – Shirley

The Massachusetts Correctional Institution Shirley is a state prison for male inmates in that houses both medium and minimum-security offenders. It is located in Shirley, Massachusetts and houses approximately 1,500 inmates, even though the capacity of the facility is 1,019.

MCI-Shirley features 13 housing units, a 28-bed hospital, and a 59-bed segregation unit.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting Hours at Massachusetts Correctional Institution Shirley are as follows:

Shirley Minimum

• Sunday: 1:00 pm-4:30 pm, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
• Friday: 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
• Saturday: 1:00 pm-4:30 pm, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm

General Population

• Sunday:1:00 pm-4:30 pm, 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
• Thursday - Saturday:1:00 pm-4:30 pm, 5:30 pm-8:30 pm

RHU

• Monday: 1:15 pm-2:15 pm, 2:30 pm-3:30 pm, 3:30 pm-4:30 pm, 6:15 pm-7:15 pm, 7:30 pm-8:30 pm
• Thursday - Saturday:1:15 pm-2:15 pm, 2:30 pm-3:30 pm, 3:30 pm-4:30 pm, 6:15 pm-7:15 pm, 7:30 pm-8:30 pm

NCU

• Tuesday - Wednesday:1:15 pm-3:15 pm, 3:30 pm-5:30 pm, 6:15 pm-8:15 pm
• Saturday:1:15 pm-3:15 pm, 3:30 pm-5:30 pm, 6:15 pm-8:15 pm

RHU and NCU visits require 24 hour advanced scheduling. Please call the facility to schedule a visit

For complete information about the visiting procedure at MCI-Shirley, click here and select either minimum or medium security.

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

Online: Sign up at Access Corrections online or download their Android or iOS app for your cell phone. Secure Deposits is the fastest, most convenient way to deposit funds into your loved one’s account with your Visa or MasterCard.

Phone: Call Access Corrections toll-free at 1-866-345-1884. Bilingual representatives are available 24/7.

In Person: There are two ways you may add money to an inmate’s account in person.

You may drop a check or money order off at the prison. Drop your check or money order into the box labelled "Inmate Funds" in the lobby. It should be made out to the inmate with the inmate's commitment number included. Please note that all money orders over $200 and all personal checks are put on seven business day hold. 

Or you may visit Cash Pay Today online to enroll and find drop-off locations to make cash-only deposits near you. For more information call 1-844-340-CASH (2274).

Programs For Inmates

Department Service and Programs

• Correctional Recovery Academy
• Correctional Recovery  Academy Graduate Support Program
• Criminal Thinking 
• General population maintenance program
• Graduate maintenance program - substance abuse
• Graduate maintenance peer facilitator program
• Medication-Assisted Treatment Reentry Initiative
• Recreation Services
• Religious Services
• Violence Reduction
• Volunteer Services

Correctional Industries

This site houses a sewing operation that manufactures sheets, towels, and socks. The offenders learn valuable skills that are related to the various employment opportunities in the sewing industry.

Academic Education Programs

• ESL I - Beginner
• ESL II - Intermediate
• ESL III - Advanced
• Adult Basic Education
• Pre-Adult Secondary Education
• Adult Secondary Education
• Mount Wachusett Program
• Post-Secondary Education

Technology Education Programs

• Introduction to Microsoft Office
• Advanced Microsoft Office

Vocational Education Programs

• Culinary Arts Foundations I
• Barber training
• OSHA
• ServSafe

Institutional Programs

• AA Re Entry Fellowship Program
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Alternatives to Violence
• ALPHA Program
• American Vet Dogs
• American Veterans in Prison Art Program
• Beacon Program
• Behavior, Emotions, and Changing Oneself
• Book Discussion Club
• Career Pathway Workshop
• Career Skills Seminar
• Cognitive Skills Workshops
• Companion/Environmental Cleaning Program
• HIV/AIDS Education
• Massachusetts Community Outreach Initiative
• Menswork
• Music Theory
• Parenting On The Inside
• Path of Freedom
• Peace Education Program
• Project Youth
• Restorative Justice
• Repairing Harm
• Toastmasters
• Toastmasters Inc. Gavel Club

Pictures of Massachusetts Correctional Institution – Shirley

Careers at Massachusetts Correctional Institution – Shirley

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