South Middlesex Correctional Center

The South Middlesex Correctional Center is a small minimum-security prison and pre-release facility for female inmates that is located in Framingham, Massachusetts. SMCC was originally part of MCI-Framingham, but now it is a separate 200-bed facility for women.

Most of the inmates at SMCC are part of the work release program that allows them to work outside of the facility during the day at local fast food restaurants, or as janitors, carpenters, and painters for an average wage of $7 per day. Inmates who work outside of the prison are required to pay 15 percent of their earnings to DOC for room and board.

SMCC is one large three-story building with a basement. The first floor has administrative offices, and the second and third floors are the inmate living areas which feature double-occupancy rooms.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Visiting Hours at South Middlesex Correctional Center are as follows:

All Inmates

Tuesday:                   6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Wednesday:             1:00 pm-4:00 pm
Thursday:                 6:00 pm-9:00 pm

Last name beginning with A-M

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

Last name beginning with N-Z

Sunday:                   1:00 pm-4:00 pm
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 South Middlesex Correctional Center, you can find the visitor booklet by clicking here.

There is no limitation on the number of visits an inmate may receive on any given day or on a weekly basis. However, only one group of visitors will be allowed to visit at any one time. Each inmate is allowed ten visitors on their approved visitors list.

Four pre-approved adults per visit is the maximum; no limit on children as long as they are adequately supervised, a minor consent form is presented, and it doesn’t disrupt operations.

Visitors may not bring in property for inmates during a visit. Additionally, visitors may not bring in: Alcohol, Weapons, Drugs, Drug related paraphernalia, Electrical appliances, TV's, radios, cameras, Handcuff keys, Beepers and / or Cellular phones, Cigarettes, Tobacco, or Tobacco products.

Visitors are required to store all belongings to include Identification, keys, wallets, and purses in the lockers provided. The institution is not responsible for any articles placed in the lockers. Cellular phones may be stored in the lockers provided only for visitors arriving on foot, by bus, train, or taxi and must be powered off.

The following personal items may be brought into the facility and retained by visitors during the course of a visit: 

• Children's articles (diapers, bottles, etc.) 
• Jewelry (traditional engagement ring/wedding band, religious medallion on a necklace or chain, or medical alert jewelry) 
• Debitek Cards. Visitors must use the Debitek System for vending purchases. Visitors may not give money directly to inmates at any time or leave inmates their Debitek Card.

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  

• Building Positive Connections
• Community Work Crew
• Family Preservation Programs and Services
• Family Reunification House Program
• Healthy Living Community
• Institutional Work 
• Life in Recovery
• Medication-Assisted Treatment Reentry Initiative
• Motivational Enhancement Program
• Parenting Education Program
• Pre-Release Employment
• Recreation Services
• Reintegration Services 
• Religious Services 
• Volunteer Services

Academic Education Programs

• Adult Basic Education
• Pre-Adult Secondary Education
• Adult Secondary Education
• Boston University Program
• Inside-Out Program/Framingham State University 

Vocational Education Programs

• Cosmetology
• OSHA
• ServSafe

Institutional Programs

• Beacon Program - Behavior, Emotions, and Changing Oneself
• Building Foundations
• Career Pathway Workshop
• Cognitive Skills Workshop
• Countdown to Freedom
• DCF Visit Coordination
• Emotional Awareness/Houses of Healing
• Entrepreneurship 101 - Venturing Out
• Fully Alive Program
• Greenhouse/Garden 
• Impact Fitness: Health and Wellness Beyond Walls
• Money Smart
• Moving Steps
• Parenting/Family  Services
• Path to Freedom
• Read To Me Mommy
• Restorative Justice
• Reading Group
• Self/Help Twelve Step Programs
• Theres is a Way
• Toastmasters
• Victim Offender Education Group
• Virtual Reality Program
• Wellesley College Volunteer Program

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

South Middlesex 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 South Middlesex Correctional Center

Careers at South Middlesex Correctional Center

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