Oldest Men’s Prison to Close Due to Decreased Incarceration Rates

In a significant move towards criminal justice reform, state officials in Massachusetts have announced the closure of MCI-Concord, the oldest men’s prison in the state, owing to a substantial decline in the prison population. The Department of Correction (DOC) revealed the decision on Wednesday, with plans to relocate the nearly 300 men held at MCI-Concord to other state prisons by the summer.

MCI-Concord, a medium-security facility in operation since 1878, is set to be closed as part of Governor Healey’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The governor’s proposal estimates cost savings of $16 million and avoids an expenditure of $190 million that would have been required for facility improvements.

DOC Commissioner Carol Mici emphasized the department’s commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources and the fulfillment of their rehabilitative mission. The prison, currently operating at around 50% capacity, reflects the broader trend of declining incarceration rates in Massachusetts.

State Senator Jamie Eldridge, co-chair of the legislature’s joint committee on the judiciary, highlighted the aging infrastructure of many prisons in the state. Eldridge suggested that the decision to close MCI-Concord was influenced by the significant costs associated with upgrading facilities at a time when the prison population is on the decline.

Prisoners’ advocates lauded the move, expressing hope that the savings from the closure would be reinvested in programming, particularly those aimed at helping incarcerated individuals transition successfully into life after prison. Jesse White, policy director at Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts, urged a reduction in the “carceral footprint” and emphasized the need to invest in rehabilitation, re-entry, and community-based support systems.

Following the relocation of individuals in custody, the DOC announced plans to make the MCI-Concord property available for potential redevelopment. Governor Healey, while unveiling her budget proposal, affirmed that discussions with the community and other stakeholders would take place to determine the future use of the site. She characterized the closure of the prison as a “matter of justice” aligned with the priorities of her administration.

Massachusetts has witnessed a nearly 50% drop in the number of prisoners over the past decade. In 2013, the Department of Correction had over 11,400 individuals in custody, compared to just over 6,000 in 2023. Last June, the state closed MCI-Cedar Junction in Walpole, citing a similar decline in the prison population. The closure involved the relocation of Cedar Junction’s reception and diagnostic center to Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center.