North Central Correctional Institution

The North Central Correctional Institution is a medium/minimum security prison for male inmates that is located in Gardner, Massachusetts. This facility is a converted state hospital that features a total of 18 buildings, including dormitory style housing units. The sentences for the inmates at NCCI range from 2.5 years to life.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting hours at North Central Correctional Institution are:

Minimum

• Sunday:9:00 am-12:00 pm, 12:00 pm-3:30 pm
• Friday:1:00 pm-8:30 pm (Open for 2 periods)
• Saturday:9:00 am-12:00 pm, 12:00 pm-3:30 pm

Medium - Last name beginning with A - L

• Sunday:12:00 pm-3:30 pm
• Friday:1:00 pm-8:30 pm
• Saturday:9:00 am-12:00 pm

Medium - Last name beginning with M - Z

• Sunday:9:00 am-12:00 pm
• Friday:1:00 pm-8:30 pm
• Saturday:12:00 pm-3:30 pm

General Visiting Rules

A maximum of two adults are permitted to visit an inmate at the same time during any visiting period. No limitations on the quantity of children exist; however, the quantity of children any parent/guardian is bringing into the institution must be of an amount that can be adequately supervised by this individual. Only two of the weekly periods may be used.

All visitors are subject to search prior to entering the institution. Visitors that fail to remove contraband items from their person will be denied entrance into the facility. Parents/legal guardians are responsible to make certain any minors they have brought with them are also free of contraband.

For a complete list of rules at North Central Correctional Institution for visiting a minimum-security inmate, click here.

For a detailed list of rules for visiting a medium-security inmate, 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

NCCI has established a comprehensive network of programming. Participation in any program is voluntary, however, inmates are strongly encouraged to participate in as many programs as they can. 

NEADS Prison PUP Program

NEADS is a non‐profit service dog organization established to provide hearing, service and assistance dogs for veterans, adults, and children. This is a 12-18 month program utilizing inmate handlers to teach the dogs basic obedience and other skills needed to prepare them for future “careers” as service dogs. 

Following their training with the inmates, the dogs will then learn more advanced service dog skills at the NEADS’ National Assistance Dog Training Campus in Princeton, MA. DOC inmates are able to provide steady training at high levels, under the guidance of NEADS staff.

Work Release

Pre-Release inmates may be able to take part in the Work Release Program. This program:

• Matches an inmate's skills with job opportunities in the community
• Allows inmates to earn at least minimum wage
• Gives an inmate work experience to make the employment process easier after release

To participate, an inmate must meet eligibility and be within 18 months of release or parole eligibility.

Departmental Services and Programs

• Criminal Thinking 
• General Population Maintenance Program 
• Graduate Maintenance Program–SubstanceAbuse 
• Graduate Maintenance Peer Facilitator Program–Substance Abuse 
• Medication Assisted Treatment Reentry Initiative 
• Pathway to Recovery 
• Recreation Services 
• Religious Services 
• Sex Offender Treatment Program 
• Violence Reduction 
• Volunteer Services 

Correctional Industries

The Optical Shop is a full-scale eyewear laboratory providing services to many providers throughout Massachusetts. The offenders currently working at this site grind, polish, and assemble eyeglasses for a number of customers. 

The industrial instructors at NCCI are facilitating the process of testing offenders working in the Optical Shop to gain a certification from the American Board of Optometry. The test is designed to reveal the competency in the optical field and their overall knowledge.

The individual taking this exam will be provided a certification from the American Board of Opticianry. This will allow the inmate to show qualifications and work history to potential employers.

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

Technology Education Programs

• Introduction to Microsoft Office
• Advance Microsoft Office

Vocational Education Programs

• Culinary Arts Foundations I
• OSHA
• ServSafe
• Welding
• Wheelchair Repair

Institutional Programs

• AA Re Entry Fellowship Program
• Alternatives to Violence
• AVP Writing Program
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Career Pathway Workshop
• Community Gardening and Landscaping
• Music Theory Program
• Narcotics Anonymous
• National Education for Assistant Dog Services - Puppy Program
• Path of Freedom
• Peace Education Program
• Project Good Dog
• Project Youth
• Read To Me Daddy

Pictures of North Central Correctional Institution

Careers at North Central Correctional Institution

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