The Suffolk County House of Corrections (SCHOC) in Boston, Massachusetts operates the South Bay facility, which opened in 1991. This prison serves an important role in the county's criminal justice system. Let's take a closer look at this correctional institution from its history to operations and more.
History and Origins of the South Bay Facility
The current Suffolk County House of Corrections has an interesting history dating back over a century. The previous complex located on Deer Island operated from the mid-1800s until 1991 when the new South Bay facility opened.
The antiquated Deer Island buildings had become overcrowded and dilapidated over the decades. Planning for a modern replacement facility began in the 1970s and design work was funded in 1977. However, construction on the new Suffolk County House of Corrections at South Bay did not break ground until 1986.
After 5 years of construction costing $115 million, the South Bay prison finally opened on December 26, 1991. This allowed for the Deer Island complex to fully close as operations transitioned to the new buildings.
The South Bay facility consists of 7 separate concrete and steel structures constructed across 10 acres. This decentralized campus with self-contained housing units contrasted the centralized style of Deer Island.
Inmate Population and Housing
The Suffolk County House of Corrections was designed to house both adult male and female inmates. The initial intended capacity was approximately 900 beds. However, through additions and expansions over the years, the maximum capacity has grown to 1,892 beds today.
At its peak population in 2000, the facility held close to 2,000 inmates - over double the original design. More recently, the average daily population has declined to around 950 detainees as of 2015.
The housing units utilize a direct supervision model for inmates. This style has officers engaging with inmates more directly rather than isolating them. There are 27 separate housing units that inmates are assigned to based on a comprehensive classification system that factors in elements like security risk, special needs, and sentence status.
Notable aspects of the housing include:
- 674 total cells throughout the units
- 32 distinct housing sections each with their own style
- Female inmates housed on the top 3 floors of the Main Tower
Programs and Services for Inmates
In addition to securely housing detainees, the Suffolk County House of Corrections aims to provide programs and services to facilitate rehabilitation and personal development. Some of the offerings include:
- Substance abuse treatment programs - Both group and individual counseling options
- Anger management training - Teaches techniques to better control emotions
- Vocational education and job skills classes - To gain trades and professions
- High school equivalency test preparation - For inmates without diplomas
- English instruction for non-native speakers - To aid communication
- Parenting and family relationship skills - For responsible parenting
- Reintegration services - Assists transition back into the community
Robust medical and mental health services are also provided by specialized staff. This includes over 20,000 medical appointments held annually to address inmate health needs. The goal is to care for conditions during custody and arrange continuity of care after release.
Visitation, Communication and Contact
Maintaining connections with family and friends outside the facility is an important part of an inmate's rehabilitation. The Suffolk County House of Corrections offers varied means for visitation and communication.
Visitation hours are available 7 days a week from early morning through late evening. Policies allow for both contact visits with limited physical contact and non-contact visits separated by glass. All visits must be scheduled in advance through the online system or staff coordination. Proper identification is required to visit detainees.
Inmates can make outgoing phone calls to approved numbers through the inmate calling system. The calls are digitally monitored and recorded for security purposes. Friends and family can set up prepaid accounts to fund the phone time.
Mail sent to inmates must adhere to rules regarding content, items allowed to be enclosed, and address formatting. The proper address format is:
> Inmate Name, ID Number
> 20 Bradston Street
> Boston, MA 02118
Email messaging is also available as an approved digital communication method for detainees to connect with their loved ones.
Location and Access Information
The Suffolk County House of Corrections at South Bay is located at:
20 Bradston Street
Boston, MA 02118
The main phone number is 617-635-1000. This can be used for general questions and to coordinate visits or calls with inmates.
While parking is very limited, the facility can be conveniently accessed through public transportation. Detailed directions are provided for travel by car, bus, and train. Riders of the MBTA Red and Green Line can connect to buses that service the Bradston Street location.
Conclusion
With an operational capacity exceeding 1,800 beds, the Suffolk County House of Corrections plays an important role in the regional criminal justice system. Since opening its modern South Bay campus in 1991, the facility has provided secure incarceration and rehabilitative services to thousands of inmates annually. While adapting to fluctuating populations and evolving standards, the institution remains committed to its mission of public safety and effective rehabilitation. Those interested can find out more details on the programs, visitation policies, and history of the SCHOC on the official website.
Frequently Asked Questions
**What is the capacity of the Suffolk County House of Corrections?**
The maximum capacity is 1,892 beds across the South Bay campus' 27 housing units. At its peak, the jail held close to 2,000 inmates.
**What is the average length of stay for inmates?**
The Suffolk County House of Corrections houses pre-trial detainees as well as inmates serving sentences of 2.5 years or less. So length of stay varies from short term to longer custody of over one year.
**What amenities and services are available to inmates?**
Inmates have access to programs like substance abuse treatment, vocational training, education services, parenting skills classes, recreation time, medical/mental health care and more.
**Can family and friends visit inmates at the jail?**
Yes, visitation is allowed with approved visitors per the visitation schedule. Both contact and non-contact visits can be scheduled. Proper ID is required.
**How can people send mail or money to inmates?**
Friends and family can send postal mail to inmates following the mailing rules and address format. Money can also be deposited into commissary accounts online or through money orders.
Phone: 781-359-7600
Physical Address:
Suffolk County House Of Corrections (South Bay)
20 Bradston Street
Boston, MA 02118
Mailing Address (personal mail):
Inmate's Full Name & A-Number
Suffolk County House Of Corrections (South Bay)
20 Bradston Street
Boston, MA 02118
Other Jails and Prisons
Search Suffolk County House Of Corrections (South Bay) Inmates
When someone that is not a US Citizen gets arrested in the United States, and they are here illegally, depending on what state or city they are arrested in, the person may be turned over to ICE.
Many states such as New York and California, as well as hundreds of US cities, have declared themselves 'sanctuary cities' and do not turn over foreigners here illegally, even if they are committing crimes in their jurisdiction.
However, when an alien here illegally is turned over to ICE, and sent to one of the over 100 Immigration Detention Centers in the United States, the only way to try and locate where they are being detained is using the Online Detainee Locator System.
You can look them up using their assigned A-Number.
You can also try and look them up by using their name.
What is an ICE Detention Center?
Men, women, and children that are in the United States illegally and are apprehended by the US Border Patrol or ICE will most likely be placed in removal proceedings and may be detained in one of the more than 200 jails and detention centers that make up ICE’s detention system.
Many of the illegal immigrants that are detained are held in county and local jails that contract with ICE to detain immigrants. The rest are held in dedicated immigration detention facilities run by ICE or contracted to private prison corporations, including family detention centers that hold mothers and children.
What Determines if an Illegal Immigrant gets Detained?
ICE will typically detain an immigrant because DHS (Homeland Security) believes that an illegal immigrant is either a “flight risk” and may move to another location within the U.S. or that they pose a public safety threat. Detaining the person allows the government to guarantee that the person will show up for their hearing before an Immigration Court.
Some of the reasons that causes an illegal immigrant to get arrested and held in detention prior to their day in court is as follows:
The illegal immigrant has:
How do you find someone that is in an ICE Detention Center?
The first step to finding out if an illegal immigrant is in ICE or DHS custody is by using the ICE Detainee Locator.
It’s easier to find the person if you have an Alien Number (A#), if one exists. A green card or work permit will show this number. If you don’t have an A# the person is much more difficult to locate.
The information you will need is as follows:
If you are having difficulty, try different spellings and the order of how the name is listed.
If the illegal immigrant was only recently detained, the ICE Detainee Locator may not be updated with the latest information. Keep in mind that ICE does not give information (online or over the phone) for people under 18 years of age. In such cases, you can only get information on them from the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations field office nearest you.
If the person you are looking for is not in an ICE Detention Center, they may have been taken to a local jail that contracts with ICE, so contact their local City and County Jail, all which can be found here.
Another option, short of the expense of hiring an Immigration Lawyer, is to go to this website and use their online form to get their help.
Once an illegal immigrant is located and you find out the facility where they are being held you need to find out the Deportation Officer that has been assigned to their case. The Officer can tell you how to call or visit the detainee, or pay for the detainee to be able to call you, or how you can send any needed items such as clothing, prescriptions, etc.
The last option, and the most expensive, is to hire an experienced immigration attorney to assist you in tracking down the Deportation Officer. If the person being detained requires specific medical care, an attorney can ensure that they receive that care.
If the detained illegal immigrant has been deported from America previously or has an outstanding removal order - in which case they have no right to see an immigration judge - they can be removed within a few days, or even hours, of the initial arrest.
Even if the government does not immediately remove the person, it is possible that they can be moved around to different Detention Centers. There is never a warning that a person is being moved around and during the transfer there is a complete blackout of any information.
How long are people held in ICE Immigration Detention Centers?
The time that an illegal immigrant is held in an ICE Detention Center can vary. It all depends on several factors such as the individual’s personal situation, criminal record, the severity of the crime they are being charged with, previous deportations and the current caseload that the Detention Center is dealing with.
This image portrays the most recent data available on the time a detained illegal immigrant remains in custody before their release and/or deportation.
Can you visit someone in ICE Detention Centers?
The short answer is yes. The person visiting an illegal immigrant in an ICE Detention Center must be lawfully present in the United States. In other words the visitor must have some form of currently valid immigration status at the time of the visit. A detention center or jail will not allow the visit unless visitor can show valid I.D. and offer proof that they are lawfully in the United States.
If you want to become a volunteer that visits illegal immigrants in order to offer emotional support, it may be possible. You can join one of these visitation networks by going here and contacting the network in your area.
What crimes can cause an illegal immigrant to be deported?
(The following information comes from Nolo.com, a trusted legal resource)
These are the straightforward crimes that are mentioned in the immigration law. The statute also lists a number of security violations, such as involvement in espionage, sabotage, terrorism, Nazi persecution, totalitarian parties, and so forth.
Once an illegal immigrant is deported, how long before they can come back to the United States?
If an illegal immigrant has a deportation or removal order in their immigration file, it's possible that they won’t be allowed to enter the U.S. for five, ten, or even 20 years.
The applicable law comes from Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (I.N.A.).
Five-Year Ban: If they were summarily removed or deported upon arrival at a U.S. port of entry because they were found inadmissible, or if they came to the U.S. but were immediately put into removal proceedings and then removed or deported, they may be ineligible to return to the U.S. for five years. The five-year ban also applies if they failed to show up for their removal hearing in the United States.
Ten-Year Ban: If a ‘removal order’ was issued at the conclusion of their removal hearing in Immigration Court, they may not be able to return for ten years after their removal or departure.
Twenty-Year Ban: If they were convicted of an aggravated felony or have received more than one order of removal, they are barred from returning to the U.S. for 20 years. And if they entered without permission after having been removed, or illegally reentered the U.S. after having previously been in the U.S. unlawfully for more than one year, they may be barred from entering the United States for 20 years or permanently.
This facility, known as "Suffolk County House Of Corrections (South Bay)" is also known as ICE Detention Facility, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
