Worcester County House of Correction Inmate Bail & Bonds

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Worcester County

Massachusetts • Worcester County • Bail & bond help

Worcester County bail and bond: the West Boylston lobby, the 5 p.m. window, and the courts

Adults held in Worcester County are taken to the Worcester County Jail and House of Correction, 5 Paul X. Tivnan Drive, West Boylston, run by Sheriff Lew Evangelidis. Look up your family member with Worcester County Inmate Search to check custody, booking status, and the bail amount. The sheriff's page says cash bail is posted in the main lobby at 5:00 p.m. daily, and the jail desk is 508-854-1800. Cash only is the stated rule, so do not show up with a check.

How do I check if my son is in West Boylston?

Search his name on Worcester County Inmate Search. The listing shows whether he has been booked. If the search is blank, he may still be at a police station waiting for transport, or the booking may be very new.

The jail desk at 508-854-1800 can answer what the search cannot. The facility holds people awaiting trial and people serving up to two and a half years.

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What time do I have to be at the lobby?

The sheriff's posting page lists 5:00 p.m., every day, at the Main Jail Lobby. Plan to arrive well before that with the person's full name and the bail amount. The page is undated, so call 508-854-1800 on the day to confirm the time still holds, especially on holidays.

The jail also checks for other warrants or holds before anyone walks out, so the process may run past five.

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Is it really cash only?

The sheriff's page says bail must be posted in cash only. That means no personal check and no card at the lobby. If the family has a cashier's check or an app payment, ask the desk at 508-854-1800 before you drive out, and write down the name of the person who answers.

Do not bring cash you cannot account for. Count it in front of the officer and keep the receipt.

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Who gets the cash back?

The sheriff says cash is returned at the end of the trial to the defendant, or to the relative or friend who posted it, if every required hearing was attended. Name the person who posted on the paperwork so the refund goes to the right person.

There may be a catch. A minimum $150 counsel fee for a court-appointed lawyer must be paid first, and the state says bail money is not returned until it is.

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Who sets the bail for a weekend arrest?

Police call a bail magistrate when the courts are shut. The magistrate can free the person on a written promise to appear or set cash bail. After that comes arraignment, where a judge can change either decision.

Ask the jail about any fee. State law now has the Trial Court cover after-hours fees, yet sheriff pages elsewhere in Massachusetts still mention one.

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Where is someone held right after arrest in Worcester?

Police agencies can bring arrestees to the sheriff's Intake and Medical Unit in West Boylston, a pre-arraignment lockup. A 2026 report said it accepted 348 and refused 14 from January to July. Its stated reasons for turning people away included a 10-person limit, out-of-county warrants, and women.

So a person may be at a local station instead. Ask the arresting department where he or she is, then keep checking Worcester County Inmate Search.

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Which court hears a Worcester County case?

Worcester Superior Court and Worcester District Court share 225 Main Street, Worcester; the Superior Court clerk is 508-831-2300 and the district court is 508-831-2010. Other district courts sit in Westborough (508-366-8266), Leominster (978-537-3722), Fitchburg (978-345-2111), Milford (508-473-1260), Clinton (978-368-7811), and more, listed below.

Match the court to the town where the arrest happened, and ask the clerk for the next date.

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Can a nonprofit help with bail?

The Massachusetts Bail Fund can post up to $1,000 per person, and its list of facilities includes the Worcester County House of Correction. A court-appointed lawyer or a community member sends the request through its online form. It does not help people with active warrants.

Its referral window is limited to the first ten days of each month, and the portal was closed when last checked. Ask the defense lawyer to apply for you.

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Is there a bondsman in Worcester County?

Massachusetts law says nobody may be paid for acting as a surety (chapter 276, section 61B). A hired bail agent is therefore not the usual path. Most families rely on a promise to appear or the cash route.

If a person who calls you claims to speak for the court and asks for a fee to "sign" a bond, hang up and phone the Worcester Superior Court clerk at 508-831-2300.

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Will the judge accept my house?

Massachusetts law names deposits of money, certain bank savings instruments, and government bonds as security for bail. Land is not on that list.

Before signing anything, ask the clerk of the court holding the case whether property will be taken for this charge.

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Can the court refuse to set bail at all?

Yes, in a section 58A dangerousness case. The prosecutor files a motion for certain violent, weapons, drug, and abuse charges, and the judge must find by clear and convincing evidence that nothing short of detention protects the public. District Court detention is capped at 120 days unless there is good cause; Superior Court, 180.

A person held after a District Court ruling can ask the Superior Court to review, and that court has five business days to hear it. A lawyer makes this request, so get one early.

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We got a call about a domestic violence arrest. What is different?

An adult arrested for violating a 209A order is not released on bail unless a judge orders it. For other abuse charges, release in less than six hours after arrest requires a judge in open court. A bail magistrate cannot just take cash.

Expect the first hearing to decide. Call the Worcester District Court at 508-831-2010 to learn the date.

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What if the person arrested is a teenager?

Twelve- and thirteen-year-olds cannot have bail set. For older teens, a bail official decides, and a parent or guardian is normally the one who can pay. Police must phone a parent first after hours.

Worcester County is in the DYS Central Region. Its detention coordinator line, from a state parents' guide, is 508-368-4246, and the regional office is at 288 Lyman Street, Westborough. DYS central office is 617-727-7575.

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Where do I find a free lawyer?

At arraignment, ask the judge. The public defender trial office is at 120 Front Street, 3rd Floor, Worcester, 508-368-1850. The Bar Advocates of Worcester County also take appointed cases, at 508-753-9069.

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What if he skips court?

The court can issue a default warrant and may forfeit the cash. If the person was freed on a promise only, the warrant still applies. Call the lawyer and the district court clerk that day, and bring proof of any emergency.

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Which calls are scams?

Anyone who wants an app transfer, gift cards, or crypto to "release" a detainee is lying. The legitimate places are the lobby window in West Boylston and the court clerks. Look up the jail yourself at 508-854-1800.

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Key contacts for Worcester County bail questions

County jail
Worcester County Jail and House of Correction, 5 Paul X. Tivnan Drive, West Boylston, MA 01583; 508-854-1800; Sheriff Lew Evangelidis
Bail help
Worcester bail and bond information; cash bail window listed at 5:00 p.m. daily, Main Jail Lobby
Custody lookup
Worcester County Inmate Search
Worcester courts
Superior Court and District Court, 225 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608; Superior 508-831-2300; District 508-831-2010
Other district courts
Westborough, 186 Oak Street, 508-366-8266; Leominster, 25 School Street, 978-537-3722; Fitchburg, 100 Elm Street, 978-345-2111; Gardner, 108 Matthews Street, 978-632-2373; Milford, 161 West Street, 508-473-1260; Uxbridge, 261 South Main Street, 508-278-2454; Dudley, 279 West Main Street, 508-943-7123; Clinton, 300 Boylston Street, 978-368-7811; East Brookfield, 544 East Main Street, 508-885-6305
Public defender
120 Front Street, 3rd Floor, Worcester, MA 01608; 508-368-1850
Youth detention
DYS Central Region detention line 508-368-4246; central office 617-727-7575

Hours and payment rules come from county pages that carry no date, so they can be out of date by the time you read this. Telephone the jail or the clerk the same day you plan to pay. Only a Massachusetts attorney can tell you how the law applies to one person.

How do Bail Bonds work at Worcester County House of Correction

Bail for the Worcester County House of Correction must be posted in cash only. Call 508-854-1800 to find the bail amount.

In addition to the dollar amount of bail, individuals who are posting bail must pay the bail administrative fee of $40.00 in cash only.

Post Bail at:

Main Jail Lobby
Worcester County Jail & House of Correction
5 Paul X. Tivnan Dr.
West Boylston, MA 01583

Worcester County House of Correction

Address:
5 Paul X. Tivnan Drive
West Boylston, MA 01583

Phone:

508-854-1800

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in Worcester County


Does Worcester County have bail?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Worcester County?

Who can set bail in Worcester County?

When is bail set in Worcester County Massachusetts?


 

 

Does Worcester County have bail?

Worcester County does not impose bail in a traditional sense. A Bail Commissioner/Bail Magistrate presides over the first appearance in court. If a judge in Massachusetts feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money, just a $40 fee. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.  

Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court. 

If the Bail Magistrate determines that bail is necessary to assure that the arrested returns to court, then bail must be paid in cash by the defendant, a friend or family member. If the cash is not paid, the defendant will remain in jail until the bail is changed or the case is finished.

If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person detained in a jail or prison until the case is resolved or goes to trial. 


 

 

What kind of bonds are accepted in Worcester County?

The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.

There are two types of bonds: Personal recognizance or cash.


 

 

Who can set bail in Worcester County?

Bail is set by a Massachusetts bail magistrate.


 

 

When is bail set in Worcester County Massachusetts?

The bail magistrate will set bail after the defendant is processed, which is usually the same day as the arrest. If the bail magistrate is not available, for example on a weekend, the police may call the bail magistrate for permission to release the defendant until the next court day.

What is Bail?

Bail is what the arrested in Worcester County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance. 

The agreement to bail acts as a promise that the arrested will return to court for court dates and trial. Bail usually refers to a dollar amount, but bail can also mean something that has to be done, or a condition such as reporting to an officer of the court, a curfew, restraining orders or attending a treatment program. 

Bail is usually a significant enough amount of money and/or condition that the person will be negatively impacted and has incentive to return to court and not flee. A flight risk usually means that the person would flee the area, and not necessary that they are going to take an airplane. 

If a judge in Worcester County feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.  

Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court. 

If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person will be detained in the Worcester County House of Correction until the case is resolved or goes to trial. 

Bail can be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest. Bail is usually denied in cases of violent offenses. 

What is the difference between Bail and Bond?

Bail and bond are used interchangeably to mean the same thing but technically, they are different. The bail is the amount to be paid and a bond is a signed document promising payment of the bail amount with certain conditions. 

The thought of being in jail can cause the arrested to panic and try to secure a bond immediately.  

DO NOT panic and take the time to understand all the options.  

On the other hand, as anyone who has ever been involved in their criminal defense understands, fighting your case while ‘out on the streets’ gives you a much better chance of either winning, or getting a more favorable sentence.  

What are the different types of bonds in Worcester County?

If the defendant is not released on their own recognizance, the other option is to pay cash. If the defendant does not show up to court, the full amount of the bail will be kept by the court and the court could send the sheriff’s department to arrest you. 

Does Worcester County have bail?

Worcester County does not impose bail in a traditional sense. A Bail Commissioner/Bail Magistrate presides over the first appearance in court. If a judge in Massachusetts feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money, just a $40 fee. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.  

Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court. 

If the Bail Magistrate determines that bail is necessary to assure that the arrested returns to court, then bail must be paid in cash by the defendant, a friend or family member. If the cash is not paid, the defendant will remain in jail until the bail is changed or the case is finished.

If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person detained in a jail or prison until the case is resolved or goes to trial. 

What kind of bonds are accepted in Worcester County?  

The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.

There are two types of bonds: Personal recognizance or cash.

Who can set bail in Worcester County?  

Bail is set by a Massachusetts bail magistrate.

When is bail set in Massachusetts?  

The bail magistrate will set bail after the defendant is processed, which is usually the same day as the arrest. If the bail magistrate is not available, for example on a weekend, the police may call the bail magistrate for permission to release the defendant until the next court day.

Can I get the bail or bond reduced in Worcester County Massachusetts? 

Yes, if there are extenuating circumstances for cash bail, let the bond commissioner know, or your attorney can request a change in bail conditions.  

In Worcester County Massachusetts, who can pay bail for me?

The defendant, family or friend can pay the cash bail.

Can bail be paid online in Worcester County Massachusetts?  

Massachusetts counties do not currently offer online bail payment. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail: go to the Worcester County House of Correction for more information about the jails in Worcester County.

What options are there to pay bail in Worcester County Massachusetts? 

Cash, bank check, treasurer’s check, cashier’s check or government money order. Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the Worcester County House of Correction for more information about posting bail in Worcester County.  

Will I get all my bond money back in Massachusetts? 

Bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished. There may be fees, restitution (money to pay for damage caused by the crime) or fines that come out of that amount.

Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in Worcester County? 

Yes, you may be released on personal recognizance or your attorney can apply for relief from the Massachusetts Bail Fund.

What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Massachusetts?  

Massachusetts does not permit private bail bond companies to operate.

There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information.  A bondsperson will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Worcester County