Pondville Correctional Center

The Pondville Correctional Center is a minimum-security and pre-release facility for male inmates that is located in Norfolk, Massachusetts. There are no walls or fences surrounding Pondville Correctional Center. The guards keep this facility secure via inmate counts and strict accountability procedures.

The capacity of this facility is 100 inmates, but it currently houses 135.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting Hours at Pondville Correctional Center are as follows:

First Floor Inmates

Sunday - Monday:                6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Thursday - Friday:                6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Saturday:                               1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Floor Inmates

Sunday:                                1:00 pm-4:00 pm
Monday:                               6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Thursday - Saturday:          6:00 pm-9:00 pm

General Visiting Rules

All visitors are responsible for being familiar with the Visiting Rules and Regulations, and must conduct themselves accordingly while visiting an inmate at the facility. For a look at the complete list of visiting rules at Pondville Correctional Center, you can find the visitor booklet by clicking here.

All visitors are expected to leave personal effects securely locked in their vehicles or in the lockers provided at the Main Entrance. The lockers at the Main Entrance require one quarter to operate. 

The carrying of guns or other weapons, controlled substances, alcohol, cell phones, electronic devices, or any other article into or out of state property may result in loss of visiting privileges as well as criminal prosecution. All cell phones and electronic devices must be left secured in your vehicle and are not allowed in the institution.  

Due to space, visits are normally limited to two adults and three children (under 18) per inmate, per visiting period. Inmates with more than three children must write to the Superintendent for an exception as noted. 

Exceptions may be considered for compelling reasons and with sufficient prior notice request to the Superintendent’s office via mail. A minimum of two weeks notice must be given if the visitor has not been pre-approved through the Visitor Application. 

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  

• Graduate Maintenance Program–Substance Abuse 
• Graduate Maintenance Peer Facilitator Program–Substance Abuse 
• Medication Assisted Treatment Reentry Initiative
• Milford Kitchen Culinary Arts 
• Recreation Services 
• Religious Services
• Thinking for a Change 
• Violence Reduction 
• Volunteer Services

Correctional Industries

MassCor’s Central Office uses inmates from Pondville Correctional Center to perform a variety of tasks. 

Vocational Education Programs

• Automotive Program (Milford)
• OSHA
• ServSafe

Institutional Programs

• American Vet Dogs
• Book Discussion Club
• Career Pathway Workshop
• Countdown to Freedom
• Just Running: Cultivating Goodness through Fitness
• Men’s Health Series
• Money Smart
• Passion to Profit: Creating Your Own Business
• Reclaiming Reality
• Self/Help Twelve Step Programs

America’s VetDogs was created by the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. in 2003. It was created to provide enhanced mobility and renewed independence to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities, allowing them to once again live with pride and self-reliance.  

America’s VetDogs specializes in placing highly-skilled service and guide dogs to individuals with physical injuries, PTSD, hearing and vision loss, and seizures. Inmate handlers teach basic obedience and service dog tasks.

Pre-Release

Pre-Release inmates may be able to take part in the Work Release Program, which matches an inmate's skills with job opportunities in the community, allows inmates to earn at least minimum wage, and 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.

Reentry planning

Pondville Correctional Center offers opportunities for inmates to prepare for life after their release. Reentry planning begins when an inmate is committed. Within six months of release, planning intensifies. Through cooperation from the inmate and collaboration with the Institutional Reentry Committee, they identify the specific reentry needs of each inmate and address them. 

Some of the areas covered are:

• Continuity of care for medical, mental health, and substance abuse treatment (including making appointments)
• Health insurance
• Employment (resumes, JobQuest profiles, One Stop Career Center info)
• Benefits (info about obtaining food stamps, Social Security and Disability, veteran services)
• Probation and parole coordination
• Victim and public safety notifications
• Obtaining identity documents
• Housing

The Parole Board and the DOC have collaborated to produce a post-release program called the Transitional Treatment Program (TTP). The TTP provides parolees with evidence-based structured treatment to ensure a successful transition to an aftercare plan in the community.

Health insurance and medical care

The DOC partners with MassHealth to provide health insurance to releasing inmates. This trailblazing program has been nationally recognized as a model for other states to replicate. 

Pictures of Pondville Correctional Center

Careers at Pondville Correctional Center