Access to Correctional Facilities

Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 127, § 39G(c), the Commissioner and the Sheriffs shall provide Committee members with access to all correctional institutions consistent with the duties of the Committee. The Committee shall identify the specific correctional institution(s) to be accessed and specify the date(s) and timeframe(s) during which such member(s) may seek such access. The Committee shall ensure that less than a quorum, as defined by M.G.L. c. 30A, § 18, is present at any one correctional institution at the same time. The Committee Chair shall then notify the Commissioner or the respective Sheriff of such information and request that access be afforded to the specified correctional institution(s) on the specified date(s) and timeframe(s) and provide a list of Committee members who will be seeking access to the facilities. Entrance of Committee members shall be subject to all Department of Correction and county rules and regulations governing entrance and visitation. In no instance may any Committee member, while acting as a Committee member, seek access to a correctional facility for any reason other than to conduct official Committee business. Nothing in 103 CMR 179.13 shall be construed to limit any individual Committee member's access to a correctional institution or inmate as a private citizen acting solely for personal or professional reasons unrelated to their work as a Committee member.