U.S. Mail Written Comments
01 U.S. Mail Received 05/11/2026
Dear Ms. Dupuis-Clarke:
My name is Tina Durand. CEO and Founder of Snowy Phoenix. and I am writing to respectfully submit public comments regarding the proposed amendments to 103 CMR 483 concerning visiting procedures within Massachusetts correctional institutions
I appreciate the opportunity to speak on a matter that deeply affects incarcerated individuals. spouses, children, parents. caregivers, and families throughout the Commonwealth I ask that the Department carefully consider not only the operational side of visitation policies but also the emotional, psychological medical. and rehabilitative impact these policies have on human beings
For many people, prison visitation is viewed simply as a scheduled interaction. For families living through incarceration, visitation is often the only remaining thread holding relationships, emotional stability, hope, and healing together
I am the wife of an incarcerated individual and I have personally experienced how restrictive visitation environments can unintentionally create emotional distance, trauma, and disconnection between loved ones. During regular visits, we are typically seated across from one another with only a brief kiss at the beginning and end of the visit permitted. Over time, this type of interaction becomes emotionally unnatural and creates barriers between people who are trying to maintain marriages emotional connection and family bonds through years of incarceration.
During a family reunification visit for lifers I rested my head on my husband's shoulder seeking comfort and closeness after suffering a stroke the week prior. Whal struck me most was not rejection but how unfamiliar simple affection had become. He kept his hands on the table and did not know how to react to me. Years of incarceration and emotional conditioning had made even ordinary physical comfort feel difficult and unfamiliar
That moment broke my heart because it showed me how incarceration can slowly affect a person s ability to express affection connection, and emotional vulnerability These are not dangerous behaviors - they are human behaviors
If incarcerated individuals are expected to successfully reintegrate into society, maintain healthy marriages, rebuild family relationships and emotionally reconnect with loved ones, then visitation policies must support healthy human interaction rather than unintentionally suppress it. Human connection, safe affection, emotional comfort, and family bonding are essential parts of rehabilitation and long-term emotional stability
Long-term incarceration changes people psychologically. Many incarcerated individuals adapt to environments where emotional vulnerability, affection, and closeness become difficult out of necessity for survival. Over time, some individuals become uncomfortable with touch entirely. Families then carry the burden of trying to preserve int intimacy, emotional trust, marriage, and connection through a table, a few brief moments of contact and highly structured environments that do not reflect normal human interaction.
A kiss at the beginning and end of a visit is not enough to sustain a marriage, a partnership or a family bond over years or decades.
Sitting across from one another without meaningful physical closeness is not enough for people facing illness. trauma, grief or emotional hardship.
For spouses, children, and parents’ visitation is not merely social recreation, It is emotional survival. Research consistently demonstrates that healthy family connection during incarceration contributes to:
- Lower rates of depression and institutional violence
- Improved inmate behavior and emotional regulation
- Reduced recidivism
- Stronger family reintegration upon release
- Better mental health outcomes for incarcerated individuals
- Emotional stability for spouses and children
- Reduced intergenerational trauma
Physical reassurance is part of human mental health. Sitting beside a loved one, placing a hand on a shoulder, resting one's head against someone during a difficult time, or sharing safe and appropriate affection can have profound emotional and psychological benefits.
I also respectfully ask the Department to consider that many families who follow every rule, attend visits appropriately, and maintain positive records are often affected by restrictions created because of the actions of others. Families understand the serious concerns surrounding contraband and the dangers drugs pose within correctional facilities Individuals who bring contraband into facilities should absolutely face consequences, Including criminal charges, suspension of visiting privileges, or permanent bans from institutions where appropriate. However, it is difficult for families with clean records and years of compliant visitation to understand why families with long-standing positive visitation records must also lose meaningful human connection because of the actions of individuals who violate the rules.
There may be additional ways to strengthen security and crack down on contraband while still allowing healthier and more humane family interaction for those who have demonstrated trustworthiness and compliance over time. Consideration could be given to behavior-based visitation privileges enhanced screening methods. graduated visitation programs for individuals and families with positive records, or expanded family reunification opportunities under supervised conditions.
For some of us, these visits are everything. My husband is not simply an incarcerated individual to me - he is my family… my emotional support, and the person I lean on most in life I do not have family nearby, and maintaining that connection is critically important to my emotional well-being and stability. Meaningful visitation is not just beneficial for incarcerated individuals, it is also essential for the mental and emotional health of the loved ones wailing for them outside these walls.
I respectfully ask the Department to consider policies that promote healthy family attachment while still maintaining institutional safety and order Specifically, I encourage consideration of
- More compassionate seating arrangements for spouses and immediate family members where appropriate and safe.
- Expanded opportunities for appropriate physical comfort during visits, especially for long-term married couples and close family relationships.
- Trauma-informed visitation policies that recognize the emotional effects incarceration has on both Inmates and families.
- Special considerations for visitors experiencing medical crises, disabilities, serious illness or emotional hardship.
- Staff training focused on balancing institutional security with family-centered rehabilitation practices.
- Programs that encourage healthy emotional reconnection for long-term incarcerated individuals and their spouses or children.
Correctional institutions are responsible not only for custody, but also for rehabilitation and public safety. Strong family relationships are one of the most powerful rehabilitative tools available. When families remain emotionally connected, incarcerated individuals are more likely to maintain hope, accountability, and successful reintegration into society.
Families serve sentences alongside their loved ones in many invisible ways. Spouses navigate years of emotional strain. Children grow up with limited physical connection lo parents. Elderly parents age while separated from sons and daughters. Medical emergencies, grief, milestones, and emotional hardships all occur while families are forced to communicate through limited physical interaction.
Human connection should not be viewed as a threat to rehabilitation. In many cases, it is rehabilitation.
I respectfully ask the Department to consider the human side of these policies and to recognize that safe, compassionate, meaningful visitation strengthens families, institutions, and communities alike.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and willingness to hear the voices of affected families throughout the Commonwealth.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tina Durand
CEO & Founder. Snowy Phoenix
02 U.S. Mail Received 05/19/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
My name is [REDACTED] I am serving a life sentence. I submit this testimony in support of Amendment #1709 to H5500, Building Restorative Family and Community Connection. Fair treatment builds trust. This bill ensures equal access to visitation.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 13/5/26
03 U.S. Mail Received 05/19/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
My name is [REDACTED] I am serving a life sentence. I submit this testimony in support of Amendment #1709 to H5500, Building Restorative Family and Community Connection. Fair treatment builds trust. This bill ensures equal access to visitation. Mental health inside prison is a serious issue. Long periods of isolation and disconnection wear people down emotionally. Regular family visits help reduce depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. When people feel connected to their loved ones, they handle stress better and carry themselves differently inside the facility. This bill supports healthier emotional stability for incarcerated people and their families.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/12/26
04 U.S. Mail Received 05/19/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
My name is [REDACTED] I am serving a life sentence. I submit this testimony in support of Amendment #1709 to H5500, Building Restorative Family and Community Connection. Strong family ties change behavior. This bill strengthens those ties.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/14/26
05 U.S. Mail Received 05/19/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
My name is [REDACTED] I am serving a life sentence. I submit this testimony in support of Amendment #1709 to H5500, Building Restorative Family and Community Connection. Relationships take effort. Without regular visits, they fade. This bill helps keep families conjected.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/13/26
06 U.S. Mail Received 05/19/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
My name is [REDACTED] I am serving a life sentence. I submit this testimony in support of Amendment #1709 to H5500, Building Restorative Family and Community Connection. I have seen how people react when visits are taken away. It creates anger and frustration. When visits are steady, people stay calmer. This bill helps create a safer environment.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/14/26
07 U.S. Mail Received 05/19/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
My name is [REDACTED] I am serving a life sentence. I submit this testimony in support of Amendment #1709 to H5500, Building Restorative Family and Community Connection. Family contact helps people maintain their identity outside of prison. Visits remind us we are still fathers, sons, brothers, husbands, and human beings. Losing those connections damages mental health over time. This bill supports consistent family contact, which strengthens emotional wellbeing and gives people a reason to stay focused and positive.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/17/26
08 U.S. Mail Received 05/19/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
My name is [REDACTED] I am serving a life sentence. I submit this testimony in support of Amendment #1709 to H5500, Building Restorative Family and Community Connection. I am a parent. Visits are how I stay present in my child's life. Helping with homework, talking face to face, even simple moments matter. Without that, the bond weakens. This bill protects that relationship.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/13/26
09 U.S. Mail Received 05/19/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
My name is [REDACTED] I am serving a life sentence. I submit this testimony in support of Amendment #1709 to H5500, Building Restorative Family and Community Connection. My family spends money and time to visit. They should not face unnecessary barriers. This bill supports fair access.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/13/26
10 U.S. Mail Received 05/20/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
My name is [REDACTED] I am serving a life sentence. I submit this testimony in support of Amendment #1709 to H5500, Building Restorative Family and Community Connected. My family spends money and time to visit. They should not face unnecessary barriers. This bill supports fair access.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/11/26
11 U.S. Mail Received 05/20/2026
Dear Members of the Committee,
I am writing in support of protecting and expanding visitation rights within the Massachusetts Department of Correction system. Visitation is not a privilege for families it is a lifeline.
Maintaining contact with loved ones during incarceration supports mental health, emotional stability, and rehabilitation. Human connection reminds people that they are more than their worst mistake and that they still have family and community waiting for them. For children especially, being able to see and speak with a parent helps preserve important family bonds and reduces emotional harm caused by separation.
Visitation also strengthens successful reentry. People who maintain healthy family relationships while incarcerated are more likely to return home with support systems that help them rebuild their lives, avoid isolation, and successfully reintegrate into society.
Families should not be punished alongside incarcerated individuals. Consistent visitation keeps families connected, supports healing, and creates safer and stronger communities for everyone.
I urge you to support policies that protect meaningful visitation access for incarcerated individuals and their loved ones.
Sincerely,
Bianca Diaz
12 U.S. Mail Received 05/21/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
My name is [REDACTED] I am serving a life sentence. I submit this testimony in support of Amendment #1709 to H5500, Building Restorative Family and Community Connection. Physical contact during visits matters more than many people realize. A handshake, hug, or sitting beside family helps reduce feelings of emotional distance created by incarceration. Those moments help preserve family bonds and improve emotional wellbeing for everyone involved.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/17/26
13 U.S. Mail Received 05/21/2026
[REDACTED]
[REDACTED], SBCC P.O. BOX 8000, SHIRLEY, MA 01464
EMAIL ME AT [REDACTED]
WEBSITE: [REDACTED]
TWITTER: [REDACTED]
May 15, 2026
Re: Prisoner Reaction to Public Hearing Regarding "Visits", etc.
Over the past few decades the Massachusetts Department of Correction has effectively stripped away essential privileges and eviscerated fundemental civil rights. Prisoner's are left with miserable deplorable conditions of confinement. Prison authorities want to keep this barbaric treatment a dirty secret from the public - and restrictions on visits, contact visits, and even "Zoom Visits" is a part of this plan.
Not too long ago, inmates received visits with less restrictions - and while zoom visits are a game changer, prison officials have managed to make these visits dehumanizing and inhumane. There is no privacy, for example, in Souza-Baranowski Correction Center for Zoom visits. Prisoner's sit on a plastic chair and talk to loved ones and friends as prisoners walk past or mill around.
Voices are not allowed to escape from Massachusetts prisons. Inmates live in a violent world of gang culture and drug addiction. The Department of Correction permits inmates to live like zombies taking prescription drugs like Methadone or Suboxone; mentally ill inmates medicate with drug cocktail that keep them half asleep all day long. Many inmates sell their drugs for food from the institution canteen.
The Massachusetts Department of Correction never allow a crisis to go to waste. Any crisis that will strip away basic rights and dehumanize incarcerated people will be used - like the ones now contemplated - to take visits, take Zoom visits or severely restrict the public from any kind of meaningful contact with prison inmates.
The fact remains, prisoner's in Massachusetts are treated as animals; and when inmates act out like animals, prison officials use heavy handed tactics to beat and punish all inmates. Collective punishment is the rule behind bars in the Commonwealth. And, -when the public is faced with decisions about visits, or any meaningful contact with prisoners - the Massachusetts Department of Correction does all it can to strip away all contact with the public. Or, make visits, contacts, zoom visits or other communication unbearable.
[REDACTED]
Inmate author project provides publishing and agency for quality, thoughtful, and carefully crafted literature from behind prison bars and walls.
14 U.S. Mail Received 05/21/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
My name is [REDACTED] I am serving a life sentence. I submit this testimony in support of Amendment #1709 to H5500, Building Restorative Family and Community Connection. Consistent family visitation creates hope. Hope affects mental health, behavior, and the overall atmosphere inside correctional facilities. People who feel supported emotionally are more likely to stay motivated and focused on personal growth. This bill protects those important connections and benefits both incarcerated people and their families.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/17/26
15 U.S. Mail Received 05/28/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
Before COVID, families were allowed more natural human interaction during visitation. People could sit beside their loved ones, hold hands, and maintain some sense of emotional connection during visits. Since those changes were removed, visitation has become cold, distant, and emotionally damaging. These restrictions have continued long after emergency COVID conditions ended. Families are still being separated emotionally during the little time they are allowed together. Sitting across from your spouse, child, or parent for hours without normal comfort creates emotional strain that affects mental health on both sides. Many incarcerated individuals survive emotionally because of family support. Strong family relationships reduce hopelessness, improve behavior, and encourage rehabilitation. Restrictive visitation weakens those important connections. I respectfully ask the Department to restore humane visitation practices that existed before COVI D and recognize the importance of family unity and emotional wellbeing.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/22/26
16 U.S. Mail Received 05/28/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
I am writing regarding the proposed changes to 103 CMR 483 and the reality many of us face during visitation at NCCI Gardner. Visitation is one of the only things incarcerated individuals still have that keeps us emotionally connected to our families and to the outside world.
Most people do not understand what prison takes from a person mentally and emotionally. We already lose freedom, privacy, comfort, and years of our lives. Restrictive visitation takes away another part of our humanity. Being forced to sit across from the people we love for hours without being able to sit side by side or hold hands naturally creates emotional distance instead of support.
The current policy allowing only a "brief' hug and kiss at the beginning and end of visits creates confusion because nobody clearly explains what brief means. Families should not feel nervous or afraid over simple human affection during the little time they are allowed together.
Mental health must be treated as seriously as security. Family connection helps incarcerated individuals remain hopeful, stable, and motivated to do better. Healthy visitation supports rehabilitation.
I also believe families are unfairly viewed as the primary source of contraband when many documented cases involve staff misconduct. Families who sacrifice time, money, and emotional strength to support incarcerated loved ones should not be treated like threats for wanting basic human connection.
Thank you for your time and consideration regarding these proposed changes to 103 CMR 483.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/22/26
17 U.S. Mail Received 05/28/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
The purpose of corrections should include rehabilitation, emotional stability, and successful reintegration into society. Research consistently shows incarcerated individuals with positive family relationships are less likely to reoffend after release. Family support encourages accountability and long term behavioral change. At the same time, long term emotional deprivation causes serious psychological harm. Years without physical affection or emotional comfort affect mental health in ways many people outside prison never consider. Restrictive visitation policies continue increasing emotional suffering instead of supporting rehabilitation and family preservation.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/22/26
18 U.S. Mail Received 05/28/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
Prison already removes freedom, privacy, identity, and years from people's lives. Restrictive visitation removes emotional support and healthy human connection as well. Research on incarceration continues showing that emotional isolation harms mental health and weakens rehabilitation outcomes. Human beings require connection, comfort, and emotional support to remain mentally healthy. Many incarcerated individuals maintain hope only because of family relationships. When visitation becomes emotionally cold and restrictive, hope begins disappearing too. Policies focused entirely on control without equal attention to rehabilitation and emotional wellness create more damage over time.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/22/26
19 U.S. Mail Received 05/28/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
Correctional systems should prepare people for successful reintegration into society, not create deeper emotional damage during incarceration. Research has repeatedly shown that incarcerated individuals with healthy family support are more likely to succeed after release and less likely to return to prison. Family relationships create hope, accountability, and emotional stability. Years without meaningful affection, comfort, or emotional expression can create serious psychological consequences. Human beings need connection and support to remain emotionally healthy. I respectfully ask the Department to create visitation policies that recognize the importance of mental health, rehabilitation, and family preservation alongside institutional safety.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/22/26
20 U.S. Mail Received 05/28/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
Research has repeatedly shown that maintaining healthy family relationships lowers recidivism rates and improves reentry success after incarceration. Strong visitation policies do not weaken public safety. They strengthen
rehabilitation. Families often provide housing, emotional support, financial assistance, and accountability after
release. Long term emotional deprivation creates serious psychological consequences. Years without normal
affection, physical comfort, or emotional closeness damages mental health and increases hopelessness. I ask the Department to recognize that emotional wellbeing and family support are essential parts of successful rehabilitation.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/22/26
21 U.S. Mail Received 05/28/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
Visitation is one of the only things keeping many people mentally stable while serving long sentences. Families help us maintain hope, accountability, and motivation during incarceration.
Being unable to sit beside our loved ones during visits makes the environment feel cold and unnatural. Human affection should not be treated like misconduct. Holding hands with your spouse or comforting your child during a difficult moment should not be considered a security issue.
The policy allowing only a "brief' hug and kiss is unclear and inconsistently enforced. Families often feel anxious during visits because there is no clear standard. Something as simple as sitting too close or touching a loved one's hand can suddenly become a problem.
Mental health inside prison deserves equal attention as security concerns. Positive family interaction reduces stress, hopelessness, and emotional isolation. Family support encourages incarcerated individuals to stay focused and avoid disciplinary issues.
I also ask the Department to acknowledge that contraband problems are not caused only by visitors. Many documented incidents involve staff misconduct. Families should not carry blame for problems they did not create.
Thank you for taking the time to review these concerns and testimonies regarding 103 CMR 483.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/22/26
22 U.S. Mail Received 05/28/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
I respectfully submit this testimony regarding the proposed amendments to 103 CMR 483 and the impact restrictive visitation policies have on incarcerated individuals and their families.
Visitation is one of the only things keeping many people mentally stable while serving long sentences. Families help us maintain hope, accountability, and motivation during incarceration.
Being unable to sit beside our loved ones during visits makes the environment feel cold and unnatural. Human affection should not be treated like misconduct. Holding hands with your spouse or comforting your child during a difficult moment should not be considered a security issue.
The policy allowing only a "brief' hug and kiss is unclear and inconsistently enforced. Families often feel anxious during visits because there is no clear standard. Something as simple as sitting too close or touching a loved one's hand can suddenly become a problem.
Mental health inside prison deserves equal attention as security concerns. Positive family interaction reduces stress, hopelessness, and emotional isolation. Family support encourages incarcerated individuals to stay focused and avoid disciplinary issues.
I also ask the Department to acknowledge that contraband problems are not caused only by visitors. Many documented incidents involve staff misconduct. Families should not carry blame for problems they did not create.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/22/26
23 U.S. Mail Received 05/28/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
My name is [REDACTED] I am serving a life sentence. I submit this testimony in support of Amendment #1709 to H5500, Building Restorative Family and Community Connection. Mental strain builds over time. Visits help relieve that. This bill supports emotional stability.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/22/26
24 U.S. Mail Received 05/28/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
I respectfully ask the Department to recognize that restrictive visitation policies create emotional damage that extends beyond incarcerated individuals and affects entire families. Children grow up missing physical closeness with their fathers. Spouses struggle to maintain emotional connection through years of separation. Elderly parents sit across from their sons unable to provide comfort during painful moments. These experiences leave lasting emotional effects on everyone involved. Healthy visitation strengthens family relationships and helps incarcerated individuals maintain emotional stability. Men who feel connected to their loved ones often remain more motivated, focused, and disciplinary free. Security is important, but humanity must also matter. Policies should reflect rehabilitation, dignity, and family preservation alongside institutional safety.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/22/26
25 U.S. Mail Received 05/28/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
My name is [REDACTED] I am serving a life sentence. I submit this testimony in support of Amendment #1709 to H5500, Building Restorative Family and Community Connection. Mental strain builds over time. Visits help relieve that. This bill supports emotional stability.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/22/26
26 U.S. Mail Received 05/29/2026
5-25-2026
Re Public hearing on 103 CMR 483 Visiting Procedures
I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed amendments to 103 CMR 483: Visiting Procedures as they will change the following:
- Prohibit side-by-side seating at all medium and maximum security institutions, this I have a problem with due to the fact that I should be able to hug and hold my wife/hands during the visit time to keep my family bonds strong so I can reenter society with my family intact so I have every chance to be a contributing member of society as well as being able to bond with my children who have autism and do not know how to process the state of Mass taking their father away from them. You claim to want inmates to keep strong family bonds but every single chance you get you take everything we could hold most dear to us away so what you try to sell the public is B.S. you do it for your own self interest.
- Define a visiting period as a three to four hour block of time, but with an institution’s discretion to start visits late and end visits early; this I have a problem with because you claim to make sure we have the max amount of time possible for visits but this is untrue. You do not start processing visitors some days until well after the start time of 1pm on Sat. so the visit time gets cut short by how ever long it takes you to get people in to mention the fact that sometimes when the VR calls the unit the C.O. is not there to respond to the call which cuts into my critical time with my family who drives 2 ½ hours to come see me. You say three hours for visits I don’t even get that when my family does have to wait longer and longer every time they come see me. I implore you to strike down these proposed amendments as they will do detrimental harm to our family bonds.
Thank you for your time.
[REDACTED]
27 U.S. Mail Received 06/03/2026
Attn: Michele Dupuis Clark Program Coordinator Ill.
From: [REDACTED]
May 22, 2026
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to submit a request to offer my experience, perspective, and solutions regarding visiting procedures as it applies to (CMR 483: Visiting Room.) If granted the opportunity to be present at this upcoming hearing, my points of focus are outlined below.
Visiting List: A visiting list is basically a blockade hindering the creation and connectivity one needs in order to build a solid support system. A robust support system is vital to the success of anyone; as we know the saying goes, (your network is your net worth). Limiting an incarcerated individual's social network prepares him/her to fail. This approach is in direct conflict with one's successful post release.
Visitors/ Criminal Records: Criminal records are found to be more prevalent in marginalized communities and those of color. These communities make up the vast majority of the prison population, thus rendering minorities most affected. Even when the offense was never committed on prison grounds, the visitor is still barred and subject to an extensive and exhaustive approval period which acts as a deterrent from visiting altogether. Punishing families for prior bad acts does more harm to family reunification eff01is which work towards keeping prisons and communities safe.
Video Visitation: Video visits should be used as an alternative to those waiting to be approved for in person visits where a criminal record is at issue.
- Should also be used for those barred from prison grounds.
- Should have a separate policy outside of the in person visiting policy, which would end unnecessary open ended approval periods.
- Should be used for those with open cases, are on probation, parole or waiting to be approved for contact visits.
- Should have no visiting list, and be open for anyone to visit, maintaining family reunification as a priority.
Seating: 483.07 (34) A-I) fail to state that visitors are prohibited from sitting side by side, yet officers refuse to allow it. Also, holding hands should not be prohibited, as each inmate is ordered to strip naked post visitation period. Touch is essential and fundamental to overall connection, as long as hands are in plain view, holding hands should be allowed.
Dress Code: 483.14 should be cancelled entirely. The dress code policy that outside volunteers are ordered to follow should be standard across all visitors who are not correction officers. The current volatile dress code is discouraging families from visiting, and is at the discretion of the acting officer instead of policy. Officers should also have their name badges visible. Turning visitors away without a written incident repo1i or notification of shift commander leaves room for retaliation from officers who have had prior incidents with incarcerated individuals.
In closing, I hope my perspective is found to be useful in the event I am not chosen to speak. I regularly receive visits and see the strain it places on my daughter and family members. The challenges vary but are consistent, whether it's the way their treated or the condescending way they are spoken to, they ignore it just to maintain our connection.
28 U.S. Mail Received 06/03/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
Many incarcerated individuals lose hope because prison systems continue removing every meaningful emotional support from their lives. Research on rehabilitation consistently shows family connection is one of the strongest factors reducing recidivism and supporting successful reintegration after release. Without emotional support, incarceration becomes focused entirely on punishment rather than rehabilitation. Long term emotional deprivation damages mental health and weakens people emotionally over time. Restoring humane visitation practices would improve emotional stability, strengthen rehabilitation efforts, and support healthier family relationships.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/22/26
29 U.S. Mail Received 06/04/2026
04 June 2026
Hello Michele,
I am writing to you today about the proposed changes to 103 CMR 483 Visiting Procedures for the 11 June 2026 hearing. I had a few concerns I wish to discuss. The first issue being 103 CMR 483.09(4)’s removal. Special visits should still be allowed for incarcerated individuals and civil commitments at maximum security facilities. Many people have families that live over 75 miles away and should still be allowed that right to see them even if they are at a maximum security facility. My next issue is with 103 CMR 483.09(5); it needs to have a minimum visiting time like the 3-4 hour proposed visiting times for mediums. By not having this minimum time it allows too much discretionary power over visits by the superintendent. He could potentially set visits to only half an hour which would do more harm than good by discouraging people from visiting for such a short time.
Perhaps the most important change needed to be discussed for medium security facilities is 103 CMR 483.05: Visiting Period. If we are to be limited to a certain amount of visit time (3-4 hours), we should be guaranteed the full allotted time for the visit bar a security issue. With the new proposed restriction of advanced scheduling, the number of visitors arriving at the institution in a given time should never be an issue because you can limit the amount prior to anyone getting there. Staffing limitations should also not reduce the time of a visit because all correctional officers are considered essential personnel.
One important clarification that needs to be made is on 103 CMR 483.17(c). The way the proposed change is currently defined would allow for the “administrative monitoring and oversight” of Legal Zoom calls with attorneys. These Legal Zoom calls use video chat functions on the computers in attorneys rooms at both the maximum and minimum security facilities. Some change to the language of this section needs to be made in order to exclude attorney Zoom calls (video chats). Lastly 103 CMR 483.21 should keep the requirement for the “Commissioner’s written approval”. Verbal approvals lack a track record and can cause foreseeable issues in the future.
Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Respectfully,
[Redacted]
30 U.S. Mail Received 06/04/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
I understand the need for rules and security inside correctional facilities. At the same time, security should not erase basic humanity. Families are essential to rehabilitation. Many incarcerated individuals work on themselves because they still have people supporting them outside prison. Restrictive visitation weakens those important emotional connections. The policy regarding "brief" contact remains unclear and inconsistent. Families deserve clear expectations and respectful treatment during visits. I hope these concerns are seriously considered during review of the proposed amendments to 103 CMR 483.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/29/26
31 U.S. Mail Received 06/04/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
Before COVID, visitation gave incarcerated individuals a chance to feel human again for a few hours. Families could sit close together, comfort one another, and maintain emotional connection during difficult years of separation. Now visitation feels emotionally disconnected and overly restrictive. The current environment increases frustration, sadness, and hopelessness for both incarcerated individuals and loved ones. The Department often speaks about rehabilitation and family preservation, yet current visitation practices move in the opposite direction. Strong family bonds reduce violence, improve institutional behavior, and support long term rehabilitation. I respectfully ask that pre COVID visitation practices be restored so families can maintain healthy emotional connection during incarceration.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/22/26
32 U.S. Mail Received 06/04/2026
NCCI GARDNER
500 COLONY RD.
PO BOX466 GARDNER MA 01440
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
I have personally experienced the difference between visitation before COVID and visitation now. The difference is significant. Before COVID, visits felt more natural and emotionally supportive. Families were able to sit beside one another and maintain normal human connection. Since those policies changed, visitation has become emotionally cold and stressful. These restrictions affect mental health in ways many people outside prison do not understand. Human affection, comfort, and family support help incarcerated individuals remain emotionally stable and hopeful during long sentences. The Department should not continue policies created during a public health emergency when those restrictions continue causing emotional harm long after COVID conditions ended.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/24/26
33 U.S. Mail Received 06/04/2026
Reuniting Families Survey
Read each question and circle one of the responses.
1. Would your mental health and the mental health of your family be negatively impacted if a new regulation stated you could no longer touch or hold your child during in-person visit?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
2. Contact visits are imperative to your rehabilitation?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
3. Your loved ones feel a lack of privacy when speaking about sensitive issues due to the current seating arrangements?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
4. You receive less visits due to the current scheduling visit process?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5. Does the way DOC staff treat your visitors negatively affect your families mental health?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
6. The new proposed visiting regulations will negatively impact your connection/relationship with your loved one?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
7. Do you feel the visitor dress code is culturally discriminatory?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
Any other comments/concerns/suggestion write below:
It is critical that the DOC prioritize the incarcerated’s child best interest. Physical contact is vital for maintaining emotional, developmental stability. Family visitation is proven to reduce prison misconduct, improve mental health, and decrease recidivism post release. Physical contact playtime is vital. To subject young children to not be able to have physical contact with their parent would do irreparable harm to a child. (Especially a young child who [illegible] needs the contact).
Do you support or oppose the new proposed visiting regulations (103 CMR 483)?
Support Oppose
Sincerely,
Louise Sterling
[Redacted] Grandmother [Redacted]
34 U.S. Mail Received 06/05/2026
Dear Ms. Dupuis Clarke,
Prison already strips people of identity, freedom, and dignity. Visitation should be the one place where families are allowed to feel some sense of normal connection. Being unable to sit beside loved ones creates emotional distance during the small amount of time we are given together. Human affection is part of emotional health and rehabilitation. Many incarcerated individuals survive emotionally because of family support. Restrictive visitation damages those connections and increases hopelessness inside prison. I ask that mental health and rehabilitation be given equal importance alongside institutional security.
Signature: [REDACTED]
Print Name: [REDACTED]
DOC Number: [REDACTED]
Date: 5/23/26
35 U.S. Mail Received 06/05/2026
Reuniting Families Survey
Read each question and circle one of the responses.
1. Would your mental health and the mental health of your family be negatively impacted if a new regulation stated you could no longer touch or hold your child during in-person visit?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
2. Contact visits are imperative to your rehabilitation?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
3. Your loved ones feel a lack of privacy when speaking about sensitive issues due to the current seating arrangements?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
4. You receive less visits due to the current scheduling visit process?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5. Does the way DOC staff treat your visitors negatively affect your families mental health?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
6. The new proposed visiting regulations will negatively impact your connection/relationship with your loved one?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
7. Do you feel the visitor dress code is culturally discriminatory?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
Any other comments/concerns/suggestion write below:
As an uncle for the child who visits his dad, I know that he speaks of hugging & kissing hm frequently so the visits are what provides him the most comfort.
Do you support or oppose the new proposed visiting regulations (103 CMR 483)?
Support Oppose
Sincerely,
Jason Dewberry
36 U.S. Mail Received 06/05/2026
Reuniting Families Survey
Read each question and circle one of the responses.
1. Would your mental health and the mental health of your family be negatively impacted if a new regulation stated you could no longer touch or hold your child during in-person visit?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
2. Contact visits are imperative to your rehabilitation?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
3. Your loved ones feel a lack of privacy when speaking about sensitive issues due to the current seating arrangements?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
4. You receive less visits due to the current scheduling visit process?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
5. Does the way DOC staff treat your visitors negatively affect your families mental health?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
6. The new proposed visiting regulations will negatively impact your connection/relationship with your loved one?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
7. Do you feel the visitor dress code is culturally discriminatory?
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
Any other comments/concerns/suggestion write below:
As a grandmother I believe that changing the child seating and interaction with his parent will damage his mental health. He is 6 years old + will not understand as he misses his parent every day + get a lot of value with the current visits arrangement.
Do you support or oppose the new proposed visiting regulations (103 CMR 483)?
Support Oppose
Sincerely,
Julie Sterling
[Redacted]
37 U.S. Mail Received 06/05/2026
June 1, 2026
Michelle Dupuis-Clarke
Program Coordinator Ill
Massachusetts Department of Correction
70 Franklin Street, Suite 600 Boston, MA 02110
RE: Public Comment on Proposed Changes to 103 CMR 483 - Visiting Procedures
Dear Ms. Dupuis-Clarke,
I am writing to express concerns regarding the proposed changes to visitation procedures within Massachusetts correctional facilities.
Through my experiences visiting a loved one who is incarcerated, I have witnessed firsthand how important visitation is for maintaining family bonds, supporting mental health, and encouraging rehabilitation. While security is important, visitation policies should also recognize the human impact they have on families.
One concern is the removal of the children's area to create an additional attorney room. For children visiting an incarcerated parent or family member, having a dedicated space designed for them can make a difficult experience feel less intimidating and more welcoming. These visits are often the only opportunity children have to maintain meaningful relationships with loved ones. Removing that space may make visitation more stressful for children and families alike.
I am also concerned about restrictions on physical contact during visits. Many incarcerated individuals spend years, and sometimes decades, separated from their families. Being forced to sit across from loved ones without the ability to hold a hand, offer comfort, or share appropriate physical affection can be emotionally painful. Human connection is an important part of mental health and maintaining strong relationships. Appropriate physical contact can help preserve family bonds, reduce feelings of isolation, and provide hope during incarceration.
Additionally, visitors are required to sit with both feet flat on the floor for extended periods of time. Visits can last for hours, and these rules create unnecessary discomfort for people who have often traveled significant distances to spend time with loved ones. Families should be able to focus on meaningful interaction rather than worrying about whether they are sitting in the correct position.
Another issue is that visitors are not always brought into the visitation area at the scheduled start time. Families may arrive on time and follow all required procedures, only to lose valuable visitation time due to delays beyond their control. When visits are already limited, every minute matters.
Although this hearing concerns visitation procedures, I would also like to mention communication challenges that affect family relationships. The availability of free phone calls has been appreciated by many families. However, frequent issues such as static, dropped calls, poor audio quality, and skipped conversations often make it difficult to communicate effectively. For families separated by incarceration, reliable communication is essential to maintaining relationships and emotional support. Visitation is far more than a scheduled activity. It helps preserve family relationships, supports emotional well-being, encourages rehabilitation, and provides a connection to the outside world. I respectfully ask that the Department carefully consider how these policies affect not only incarcerated individuals but also the children, parents, spouses, and loved ones who continue to support them.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Illegible]
38 U.S. Mail Received 06/09/2026
[Redacted]
P.O. Box 43
Norfolk, MA 02056
June 5, 2026
People of Massachusetts / Michele Dupuis-Clarke
Re: Punishing and Weaponizing (103 CMR 483)
1. Why is the Department of Correction punishing babies by eliminating contact with their fathers and loved ones?
Stop punishing babies! Babies are innocent!
2. Why is the Department of Correction discriminating against children without a living father, who are now adults, from visiting the person or father figure who raised them?
Stop discriminating against people without a living father.
3. Why is the Department of Correction interpreting video calls as a visit?
A visit is a person who enters the facility. No entry no visit. Stop misinterpreting phone calls as a visit?
4. Why is the Department of Correction punishing the public that visits for public displays of affection?
Cameras are everywhere – hold hands while sitting is a social norm. Stop punishing public people for displaying affection.
The Department of Correction has weaponized the visiting room against the public and people. Don’t believe the government believe their action.
[Redacted]
Sincerely,
[Redacted]
39 U.S. Mail Received 06/09/2026
My name is [Redacted]. I have been incarcerated since May of 2024. Throughout my incarceration, visitors have been a good source of support to my mental health and rehabilitation journey.
I believe that a visitation reform is needed due to the role that visitation provide to incarcerated people and their communities. I support increasing the number of approved visitors. However, I find the capping to 12 people low. My circle of family and close friends includes more than 20 people. Many of them were not able to see me or communicate with me directly due to the number of visitor restrictions and phone list limits. The limit of having only two adult visitors per visit is more than enough to satisfy security and operational risk. I believe that the number of visits should not be capped.
Implementing scheduling policy have decreased the number of visits I was receiving. The main obstacle around scheduling visits is the times my visitors can call to schedule a visit. The times are from 9 am to noon and from 1 pm to 3 pm. Those times limited all my visitors from scheduling a call to match their working schedule and they couldn’t schedule during their lunch break or after they leave work at 5 pm.
Another hurdle that my visitors faced while trying to schedule a visit was that the phone was not answered. And in other instances the visit scheduling was not done properly, and my visit did not show in the IMS appointment system. I do not support implementing any scheduling policy since it adds another hurdle.
Having community and family support is vital to the reentry process. Maintaining relationships through visitation is a building block to prevent re-offending, and it allows for stronger support upon returning to society.
Thank you.
[Redacted]
40 U.S. Mail Received 06/04/2026
Jason Sefton, Latino Camp Chairman
MCI-Norfolk
2 Clark St., P.O. Box 43
Norfolk, MA 02056
Jesse White
Prisoner's Legal Service
50 Federal St., 7th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
RE: MCI-Norfolk Testimony, Visitation 103 CMR 483, Public Hearing
Dear Jesse,
I am writing on behalf of the MCI-Norfolk population. I am the current Latino Camp Chairman of the Norfolk Inmate Council (NIC). Inside you will find:
- A Fact Sheet of some of the changes that the Department of Corrections (DOC) is currently trying to introduce to 103 CMR 483;
- Surveys with Testimonies from individuals currently incarcerated at MCI-Norfolk opposing the changes; (272)
- Copy of Internal Memo implementing, illegally, "Scheduled Visits" Concern forms from Visitation Committee (18)
- Grievance
Norfolk is a community-based prison that was legislated with the intent to enhance rehabilitation, differently than the standard DOC prison. Therefore, some exceptions were implemented with a progressive concept in mind. Visits, Programs, Prisoner's Treatment, Mental and Physical Health, Nutrition are just some of the nuances that made the foundation for this Community Prison. MCI-Norfolk is a stand-alone prison, this is evident from its original design and vision. The policies that are implemented should reinforce this concept.
The DOC's Align Initiative has Six core priorities, one being "Excellence in Health and Wellbeing" and another "Enhance Reentry Assets." Now, Excellence in Health and Wellbeing is a term that undercuts Mental Health. Within this "priority" the DOC curtails Mental Health when they say: [W]hen individuals medical and behavior health needs are addressed." Mental Health needs to be addressed. It is no secret the issues involving mental health within the DOC facilities, namely here at MCI-Norfolk.
Enhance Reentry Assets is focusing on "Supporting individuals' pursuits of purpose and community" and "Strengthening opportunities for family relationships and communication." By promulgating the policies, that have already been illegal in practice, the DOC is negating the mental health needs of both incarcerated individuals and their family(s). The amount of support that comes from contact visitation is immeasurable and the new proposed policy minimizes that support. For Example, Side-By-Side seating was implemented to foster regular social and interpersonal relationships. Eliminating this is an attack on our mental health and successful rehabilitation for reentry. The new proposed visiting policies are a contradiction to Healthy family reunification.
We ask that you send this package to Michele Dupuis-Clarke at 70 Franklin St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02110 for the Public Hearing being held on June 11, 2026 regarding 103 CMR 483 in collaboration and on behalf of us at MCI-Norfolk. We also ask that you CC:/File to:
- Aaron Steinberg and Keeping Families Connected
- The 111 undersigned organizations that support
- To anyone that you believe needs to be made aware of this
Your time and collaborative efforts are much appreciated
Signature: [REDACTED] Signature: [REDACTED]
Signature: [REDACTED] Signature: [REDACTED]
*Third-Party documentation included with this written statement (299 pages) available upon request.
41 U.S. Mail Received 06/10/2026
June 8, 2026
[REDACTED]
[REDACTED] / MCI-Norfolk
P.O. Box 43
Norfolk MA 02056
DOC Legal Division
Attn: Michele Dupufa-Clarke 70 Franklin Street, Suite 600 Boston MA 02110-1327
RE: Written Submission
103 CMR 483, Visiting Procedure
Dear Ms. Dupuis-Clarke:
Please find enclosed a written letter of opposition to the: proposed changes and supporting docent (Letter to Governor & Information related to these allegations).
Thank you for your time and attention in this matter.
Sincerely,
[REDACTED]
Opposition to Proposed Changes to
103 CMR 483, Visiting Procedure
My name is [Redacted], I have been held in the custody of the MA-DOC for the past 36 years. I am also the Senior Chairman of the Norfolk Inmate Council (NIC). Having served the population of MCI-Norfolk as an advocate for better than 9 years I have come to understand and discuss with Administrators and Staff the complex issue of introduction of contraband into the prison system. At this time the largest problem is with the drug known as K2 (Synthetic Cannabis), The wide spread addiction to this substance remains untreated by DOC Administrators which has only bred a Culture of Punishment and hopelessness. The major changes to these policy only means to codify already existing practices of across seating and pre-scheduled visits. However the wording of these changes will eliminate the “Kids Sections" and harm parent child bonding even further.
This policy once again has a goal of punitive actions against prisoners and having prisoners carry the burden of contraband introduction. However the attached letter to Governor Healey in March 2023 and the accompanying News articles of staff's introduction of contraband remains unaddressed and ongoing. This is in evidence by Cell Phone Seizures in the DOC since the enclosed letter to Governor Healey. The number of cell phones seized: 2023, 18, 2024, 14, 2025, 17. No one claims that cell phones are entering the prisons by visits or mail. Therefore leaving the burden of introduction from staff unaddressed. To now impede family friendly visits further only harms reentry support networks by causing people to not want to visit the prisons.
These changes lack any penological sense and failing to provide treatment for those suffering from K2 addiction leaves the demand across the DOC an unmet behavioral treatment need upon release.
To now codify these ill guided proposed changes only further inflicts further punitive actions on family, friends and those prisoners without behavioral consideration.
Legislators continue to file legislation to improve family friendly visits and the DOC' s proposed changes only displays the blatant disregard for legislators or the public well being.
Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony.
Respectfully Submitted,
[REDACTED]
42 U.S. Mail Received 06/10/2026
To:
Michele Dupuis-Clarke
DOC Program Coordinator
70 Franklin Street, Suite 600
Boston, MA 02110
From:
[Redacted]
MCI-Norfolk
PO Box 43
Norfolk, MA 02056
RE: I strongly oppose this new visitation policy “103 CMR 483”
6/6/26
To Whom it May Concern,
My name is [Redacted] and I strongly oppose the new anti-family visitation policy which targets black and brown families. In the last twenty years, my visitation has decreased as a result of all these bad policies, and my daughter and son have suffered a great deal because of it.
I have two brothers one lives in Texas and the other in Florida; and both of them have children under the age of sixteen years old. They try to visit me twice a year, my visiting record will demonstrate that, and they bring their children to see their uncle. During our visits we utilize the children’s section where I color pictures with my little three year old niece, and puzzles with my nephews. This new policy will separate this family bonding moment forever. Please vote against this new visitation policy and make new policies that are more family oriented / friendly.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
[Redacted]
43 U.S. Mail Received 06/10/2026
[REDACTED]
NCC I-Gardner
500 Colony Road
Gardner, Massachusetts 01440
Michele Dupuis-Clarke, Program Coordinator III Department of Correction
70 Franklin Street, Suite 600
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
Re: Public Hearing on 103 CMR 483: Visiting Procedures
Dear Program Coordinator Dupuis-Clarke:
This letter expresses my opposition to some of the proposed amendments to 103 CMR 483: Visiting Procedures. The proposed amendments seem to be designed for two purposes: (1) to substantially weaken arguments presented in an on-going lawsuit against the Superintendent of NCCI-Gardner and; (2) to give an institution more discretion in limiting visits, one way or another. These amendments allow for further restrictions of visits, in contrary to the D0C's own "ALIGN Initiative" to "support strong family connections" and "ensure a welcoming and normalized visitation experience."
The first opposed amendment, 483.07(4)(i), would prohibit side-by-side seating, forcing visits to be face-to-face. This seating arrangement adds distance between an individual and their visitor(s). Additionally, this limits the amount of space in a visiting room when an individual has multiple visitors and makes hearing one another while conversing difficult. NCCI has prohibited side-by-side seating since 2021, causing the aforementioned issues. This rule, coupled with NCCI's current policy of disallowing any physical contact during a visit has transformed regular contact visits into virtually non-contact visits. There is no justifiable reason for individuals and their loved ones to be prohibited from sitting side-by-side.
The second opposed amendment, under 483.05, defines a Visiting Period. The beginning text defining a Visiting Period as a three to four hour block of time is properly extracted from 483.07.
06/5/26 Page 1 of 3
However, the additional text provides a laundry list of reasons to delay the start of a visit and terminate visits before the end of the Visiting Period. NCCI is notorious for starting visits after the Visiting Period has begun, effectively shortening the duration of visits. This issue is argued in the current complaint against the Superintendent of NCCI, and rather than face the consequences of a de facto violation of the current regulations, this amendment seems to be an attempt to usurp the pending judicial proceedings.
The third opposed amendment, also under 483.05, defines Visitor Processing. The text explicitly states that the searching of visitors is excluded from this definition. Similar to the previous paragraph, this text seems to exist in an attempt to defeat an argument in pending litigation. Searching a visitor prior to their entering of an institution has always been a part of the process for obvious security reasons. Allowing this amendment as proposed would allow an institution to claim that a visitor has been "processed" by simply verfying any necessary paperwork, given that the next step before entering an institution is a search of the visitor. Every step prior to entering the institution is, by definition, a process, and the DOC seeks to avoid any accountability regarding the timeliness of part of that process by excluding it.
The fourth and final opposed amendment, 483.07(2), allows the Commisioner to require the scheduling of visits. Having to schedule visits is unduly burdensome for friends and family, and create negative ripple effects that disallow spur-of-themoment visitation, prevention of substituted visits if the initial scheduled visitor has any unforeseen scheduling conflicts, and removes the possibility of additional visits (for other visitors) if scheduled visitors leave early or don't show. NCCI has, without regulatory authority, mandated the scheduling of visits (only available through calling, between 9am-3:30pm on weekdays, at least 24 hours in advance but not more than a week in advance), demonstrating the possibility of abuse allowed by the proposed regulation. The DOC should be promoting policies and regulations consistent with their initiative instead of going against them.
06/5/26 Page 2 of 3
It is my understanding that safety, security, and orderly operation of an institution is of primary importance. However, institutions such as NCCI seem to abuse their discretion by creating policies under the guise of security that are without merit. This extends to the visiting room where visitors drive from hours away, only to be told that they may not loiter in the lobby until thirty minutes before their scheduled visit begins. After filling out paperwork and being subjected to a physical search, may a visitor then, in batches of a few people at a time, enter the institution. Once they finally check-in with staff in the visiting room, the individual they have requested to see is then notified. This lengthy process eats into the available time for the visiting period. This is in addition to the restrictive policies NCCI practices, whereas me and my fiance must face each other (after a brief embrace), without the ability to show any common display of affection. It is impossible to convey in words how frustrating it is to be incarcerated, have someone wholeheartedly loves you, and be told that you must only stare at each other, as any contact during your contact visit is forbidden. In the visiting room, rehabilitation should supercede punishment.
Sincerely,
[REDACTED]
NCC I-Gardner
500 Colony Road
Gardner, Massachusetts 01440
06/5/26 Page 3 of 3
44 U.S. Mail Received 06/10/2026
103 CMR 483 Visiting Procedure
I am speaking today on 103CMR 483 Visiting Procedure Rules as I have done over 1700 visits to the state prisons. Some today will speak about the complexity of the procedures, the anxiety that it brings, and general complaints. What I want to point out to you at the Dept. Of Corrections is the fact that despite the best efforts of DOC upper management, there is not enough humanity shown to anyone living inside the prisons. It is the visitors who bring in the humanity. When someone goes to prison, the entire family goes to prison. We come to visit to provide the humanity that is needed in life. We listen to the problems those inside are having there. We advise them on their parole efforts and re-entry. We keep them connected to the outside world. We want them to succeed and to remain a part of the family.
I have seen visitors come to tell bad news while trying to keep those inside on track. Sick and dying visitors are given no special arrangements when they come in even if it's an end of life visit. Children come to stay connected to their parents even with one young boy saying he wants to see his father, but the officers make his mother cry in the visiting process. No special treatment is given to anyone despite their hardship. If this is how visitors are treated we can only imagine how those inside are treated every day.
But despite all this , before you complain about us wearing the wrong color jeans, or that we can't wear our jacket inside because it has a hood, remember this. We are not going to stop corning ! The people inside are the most important person to us in our family. We are the wives, the mothers, the children and the friends of those inside. No matter how complex or absurd the rules become, we are not going to stop coming. To you our family member is just a number, but to us they are special and still a part of our family, so we are not going to stop coming.
Mary Valerio
[REDACTED]
45 U.S. Mail Received 06/11/2026
06/07/2026
To: Michele Dupius-Clarke
Re: policy changes to visits
I am writing this letter opposing the changes that the DOC wants to make to visits for incarcerated individuals.
This would be like psychological torture to the incarcerated individuals and their families and friends. Visits are an important part of their lives. For some it is all they have to hold on to, not just the incarcerated individual but also for families and friends. Yes, they have committed crimes and have had all their rights taken away because of what they did. Why do the people who love and care about them need to be punished as well? I feel that the changes you are trying to implement will have a very negative effect on incarcerated individuals as well as their loved ones.
Changing visiting policies will make it nearly impossible for incarcerated individuals to have visits. My circumstances do not allow for me to go to MCI Norfolk and I look forward to my video visits every week with Glenn Hart, ID #W61997.
This letter is on behalf of all incarcerated individuals, myself and my Glenn Hart, to ask that you please reconsider what you are trying to do. Changing the visiting policy goes against everything in the first paragraph of 103 CM 48.
Best regards.
Bonita Carrasquillo
46 U.S. Mail Received 06/11/2026
Atten: Michele Dupuis Clarke (Program Coordinator III)
From: [Redacted]
June 6, 2026
I would like to start this letter by first voicing my appreciation. Thank you for giving me and other incarcerated individuals the opportunity to express our needs and concerns regarding the visitation policy within Massachusetts DOC. My hope going forward is that these needs and concerns are not just put to the side, when it comes to making the final decision. The two major issues I’ve experienced have everything to do with the hindering of my family and friends. They are the intrusive visitation applicationin order to get on a visiting “list” and then the unnecessary blocking people from scheduling video visits if they’re not on this “list”.
Having a numbered list is already a harm. I have over 10 immediate family members who are over the age 18. This is not counting my other social relationships I have (friends, other relatives, romantic partner, mentors, etc.…). With a list I’m forced to have to pick and choose what amount of people are “important”. That isn’t humane and there’s never been a law that says a person can only have a certain number as a support system. Knowing that family support and outside connection is one of the most effective modes to a person’s mental, emotion, and everyone’s physical health, why are we being restricted from that rehabilitation, because of some capped number.
Beside the non sensible cap on the amount of visitors we can have, there’s also a very intrusive application, that is unfair to the people that have to fill them out. Even those who are approved and have filled out the visiting application, all have complained and told me how uncomfortable they felt filling it out. They said things to me like “why does it matter who my father is, if I’m trying to visit you” or “this application makes me feel like I’m locked up.”
There’s no reason for any person to have to feel “locked up” or that their privacy is being invaded for wanting to support and be there for me.
Having a numbered or list of visitors makes ALL forms of visitation difficult. If I have a support system out of state they have to go through the same intrusive process, for them to only come up once or twice a year. If they want to set up video visits that comes with another road block. I’m forced into a dilemma just to have video visits with my family and friends. My children can’t set up video visits without an adult approved visitor on my list. I can’t have video visits with my sisters who live in North Carolina and New York, because I’ve capped out my visitors. I already have the maximum allowed people on my list, which I had to decide based on those who can make it to the prisons more often. That should never be something a person’s faced with.
Actionable solution is to get rid of the capped number of visitors. With a system already in place to identify visitors a list and application are just excessive. Before an in-person visit, the visitor has to call and schedule a visit in advance, and the facility lets them know if their visit is good or not. An official state I.D. is the most secure piece of identification, no other information can trump that. Video visits are also scheduled in advance, and if there’s any issues access can be denied without any security threat.
Security shouldn’t be punishment and access to a support system isn’t a priviledge it’s a lifeline. Everything around prison is designed to strain relationships between incarcerated people and the community, but the community is what we are all striving to get back to. Connection is essential to ones mind, body, and emotions, and visits are necessary to that life behind the walls still continue. These relationships matter for everyone around us not just those incarcerated, so help us help all.
47 U.S. Mail Received 06/11/2026
06/07/2026
To: Michele Dupius-Clarke
Re: policy changes to visits
I am writing this letter opposing the changes that the DOC wants to make to visits for incarcerated individuals.
This would be like psychological warfare to the incarcerated individuals and their families and friends. Visits are an important part of their lives. For some it is all they have to hold on to, not just the incarcerated individual but also for families and friends. Yes, they have committed crimes and have had all their rights taken away because of what they did. Why do the people who love and care about them need to be punished as well?
Changing visiting policies will make it nearly impossible for incarcerated individuals to have visits. My mother's circumstances do not allow for her to go to MCI Norfolk and she looks forward to her video visits every week with Glenn Hart, ID #W61997.
This letter is on behalf of all incarcerated individuals and myself to ask that you please reconsider what you are trying to do. Changing the visiting policy goes against everything in the first paragraph of 103 CM 48.
Best regards,
Lianna Carrasquillo
48 U.S. Mail Received 06/11/2026
My name is [Redacted]. I have been on this camp since September 04, 2024, and the whole time here has been a long stressful process for my family. These conflicted visiting policies make it even more stressful for my family and I. For example, first the approval process took about 3 months. Second, after being approved there still was complications in the process of them entering the institution. Then, out of the five times they drove here to visit they only were allowed to enter two out of the five times. One of the three times by mother and kid’s were denied was on Father’s Day. They were denied because my mother forgot the consent approval, even through my kid’s mother was there. In fact she drive them up here to see me. She is not on my visiting list. Another time my daughter wasn’t allowed to enter due to the inconsistent enforcement of the dress code. She wore the same clothes so she wouldn’t have to go to the store and change, but still want’ allowing in with the clothes she got in with before. Depending on which staff is working the visiting intake , depends on if they will allow them in or not. This causes so much frustration or my family. So much so my son has said, I don’t like coming up their because every time we do it’s like theirs some excuse not to let us see you. So now my family rather wait until I’m either released or moved to a minimum. In closing, I hope my perspective is found to be useful in the deliberation of this hearing.