Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center is a maximum security prison located in Lancaster, Massachusetts. It is one of the newest correctional facilities in the state, having opened its doors in 1998. The facility serves as the Department of Correction’s reception and diagnostic center for all newly incarcerated men that enter DOC custody.
The prison is named after two slain correctional officers, Louis Souza and John Baranowski, who were killed in separate incidents in 1972 and 1973. The facility is designed to house some of the state’s most dangerous criminals, including those who have committed violent crimes and those who pose a high risk to society. As such, security measures at the prison are extremely tight, with a heavy emphasis on preventing escapes and ensuring the safety of staff and inmates alike.
Despite its high-security status, Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center has not been without controversy. In 2016, a riot broke out at the facility, resulting in extensive damage to the prison and injuries to several staff members. The incident prompted an investigation into the facility’s management and security protocols, with many calling for reforms to be implemented to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
| Security | Maximum |
| Capacity | 1,380 |
| Physical Address | 1671 Shirley Road, Lancaster, MA 01523 |
| Mailing Address | Harvard Rd., P.O. Box 8000, Shirley, MA 01464 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Depends on the Unit |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (978) 514-6500 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History
Construction and Purpose
Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center (SBCC) is a maximum-security facility located in Lancaster, Massachusetts. The facility was opened in 1998 and is one of the newest correctional facilities of the Massachusetts Department of Correction (MDOC). The SBCC was built to replace the old Walpole prison, which was considered outdated and overcrowded.
The SBCC was designed to house 1,000 inmates and provide them with a safe and secure environment. The facility is equipped with the latest technology and security systems, making it one of the most advanced correctional facilities in the country. The SBCC also serves as the Department’s reception and diagnostic center for all newly incarcerated men that enter DOC custody.
Notable Incidents
Despite its advanced technology and security systems, the SBCC has had its share of notable incidents. In 2011, the facility made national headlines when one of its inmates, a notorious gang leader, was murdered by another inmate. The incident highlighted the dangers of housing dangerous criminals in close proximity to each other.
In 2017, the SBCC was again in the news when a group of inmates staged a riot in the facility. The incident started when inmates refused to return to their cells after a recreation period. The riot lasted for several hours, causing significant damage to the facility. The incident was eventually brought under control, and several inmates were charged with participating in the riot.
Overall, the SBCC has had a mixed history since its opening. While the facility has been successful in providing a safe and secure environment for its inmates, it has also been the site of several high-profile incidents. The MDOC continues to monitor the facility closely to ensure that it remains a safe and secure environment for both inmates and staff.
Security Measures
The Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center is a maximum-security prison that houses some of the most dangerous criminals in Massachusetts. The facility is designed to ensure the safety and security of the public, staff, and inmates. The prison has implemented several security measures to prevent escapes, violence, and contraband smuggling.
Inmate Reforms
The Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center has implemented several inmate reforms to prevent violence and ensure the safety of both inmates and staff. The facility has a specialized management unit that houses inmates who pose a significant threat to the safety and security of the prison. The management unit is designed to provide inmates with a structured environment that promotes positive behavior and reduces the risk of violence.
Inmates at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center are also provided with educational and vocational programs to help them acquire the skills they need to become productive members of society. These programs include adult basic education, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment.
Officer Safety
The safety of correctional officers is a top priority at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center. The facility has implemented several measures to ensure the safety of its staff, including:
- Providing correctional officers with specialized training in self-defense, crisis intervention, and communication skills.
- Equipping correctional officers with non-lethal weapons, such as pepper spray and stun guns, to use in situations where force is necessary.
- Installing surveillance cameras throughout the prison to monitor inmate activity and detect any potential security threats.
- Conducting regular searches of inmates and their cells to prevent contraband smuggling.
The Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center also has a specialized response team that is trained to respond to emergency situations, such as riots or hostage situations. The team is equipped with specialized gear and weapons to handle these situations safely and effectively.
In conclusion, the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center has implemented several security measures to ensure the safety and security of the public, staff, and inmates. The facility’s inmate reforms and officer safety measures have helped reduce violence and contraband smuggling, making it one of the most secure correctional facilities in Massachusetts.
Facility Overview
Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center is a maximum security facility located in Lancaster, Massachusetts. It is one of the newest correctional facilities in the state, having opened its doors in 1998. SBCC serves as the Department of Correction’s reception and diagnostic center for all newly incarcerated men that enter DOC custody.
Housing Units
SBCC has a total of 1,380 beds spread across six housing units. Each unit is designed to accommodate a specific security level, ranging from minimum to maximum security. The housing units are equipped with a range of features, including individual cells, common areas, and recreation spaces. Inmates are assigned to housing units based on their security level and other factors, such as behavior and medical needs.
Visiting Hours
SBCC offers visiting hours for family members and friends of inmates. Visitors must arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of visiting hours and must present a valid photo ID. Visitors are subject to a search before entering the facility. Inmates are allowed up to two visitors per visit.
- Units K1, H1, and J1
- Tuesday and Saturday: 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 pm-8:30 pm
- Unit K1 has additional visiting hours on Tuesday and Saturday from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.
- Units G2, H2, and J2, (Low Sector)
- Tuesday and Sunday: 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
- Thursday: 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
- Units G2, H2, and J2 (High Sector)
- Thursday: 6:00 pm-8:30 pm
- Friday and Sunday: 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
- Unit G1
- Wednesday: 12:30 pm-3:30 pm (Low Sector contact visits and High/Back Sector non-contact visits)
- Friday: 6:00 pm-8:30 pm (High Sector contact visits and Low/Back Sector non-contact visits.)
- Saturday: 6:00 pm-8:30 pm (Back Sector contact visits and High/Low Sector non-contact visits.)
- Units N1, P1, and L1 (Non-Contact)
- Tuesday: 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
- Thursday and Sunday: 6:00 pm-8:30 pm
- Units N2, P2, and L2 (Non-Contact)
- Wednesday: 6:00 pm-8:30 pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
- Secure Treatment Program (S.T.P.) and Behavioral Management Unit (B.M.U.) for Phase 3/4 Only (Non-Contact)
- Sunday: 8:30 am-11:00 am
- Behavior Assessment Unit (B.A.U.) (Non-Contact)
- Wednesday: 9:00 am-11:00 am, 1:00 pm-2:00 pm
- Friday and Sunday: 9:00 am-11:00 am, 1:00 pm-2:00 pm, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
- Secure Adjustment Unit (S.A.U.) (Non-Contact)
- Tuesday: 6:00 pm-8:30 pm
- Thursday: 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
- Sunday: 8:30 am-11:00 am
Gym Facilities
SBCC has a fitness center that includes weightlifting equipment, cardio machines, and other exercise equipment. Inmates are allowed to use the gym facilities during designated hours. The facility also offers recreational activities such as basketball, volleyball, and other sports.
SBCC is equipped with state-of-the-art security features, including cameras and lights, to ensure the safety of inmates and staff. The facility is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Correction, which oversees all state correctional facilities. If you need to contact SBCC, you can reach them at (978) 514-6500.
Overall, SBCC is a modern correctional facility that provides a safe and secure environment for inmates. It is staffed by highly trained professionals who are dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all inmates.
Notable Inmates
Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center has had its share of notable inmates over the years. Here are a few of the most well-known:
Aaron Hernandez
Perhaps the most famous inmate to be housed at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center was Aaron Hernandez. The former New England Patriots tight end was serving a life sentence for the murder of Odin Lloyd when he was found dead in his cell in 2017. His death was ruled a suicide, but there has been much speculation and controversy surrounding the circumstances of his passing.
Odin Lloyd
Odin Lloyd was the victim of Aaron Hernandez’s murder and was also a former semi-professional football player. Lloyd was dating the sister of Hernandez’s fiancée at the time of his death, and it was believed that he may have had information that could have incriminated Hernandez in a separate double homicide case.
Roy Booth
Roy Booth was a convicted murderer who was serving a life sentence at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center when he was killed by another inmate in 2019. Booth had been convicted of murdering his girlfriend and her two children in 1993.
Other notable inmates who have spent time at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center include former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, convicted murderer Daniel Tavares Jr., and convicted rapist Wayne Chapman.
Despite the high-profile nature of some of its inmates, Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center is primarily a maximum-security facility that houses a variety of offenders, from those convicted of drug offenses to those convicted of violent crimes. The facility is designed to provide a secure and safe environment for both inmates and staff, and it is operated with a focus on rehabilitation and reintegration into society for those who will eventually be released.
Legal Issues
Misconduct
Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center has faced numerous legal issues related to misconduct by prison staff. In 2019, a group of inmates filed a lawsuit alleging that correctional officers had subjected them to excessive force, including beatings and the use of pepper spray. The lawsuit also claimed that officers had retaliated against inmates who reported the abuse by placing them in solitary confinement or transferring them to other facilities. State officials have denied the allegations and the case is still ongoing.
In 2020, former Souza-Baranowski correctional officer, Ethan Brown, was indicted on charges of smuggling drugs into the prison. Brown allegedly smuggled in heroin, suboxone, and synthetic marijuana, which he then sold to inmates. Brown was also charged with accepting bribes from inmates in exchange for smuggling in contraband. The case is still ongoing.
Damages
In addition to misconduct by prison staff, Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center has also faced legal issues related to damages incurred by inmates. In 2015, inmate Lloyd Bracey filed a lawsuit against the prison alleging that he had been subjected to inhumane conditions, including being placed in a cell with no heat or hot water during the winter months. Bracey claimed that he had developed frostbite as a result of the conditions. The case was settled in 2017 for an undisclosed amount.
In 2019, inmate Brandon Frick filed a lawsuit against the prison alleging that he had been subjected to excessive force by correctional officers, resulting in a broken nose, ribs, and other injuries. Frick also claimed that he had been denied medical treatment for his injuries. The case is still ongoing.
Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center has also faced legal issues related to damages incurred by correctional officers. In 2018, Officer Shaun Bussiere filed a lawsuit against the prison alleging that he had been subjected to a hostile work environment and retaliation after he reported misconduct by other officers. Bussiere claimed that he had been harassed and threatened by his colleagues and had been denied promotions and other opportunities. The case was settled in 2020 for an undisclosed amount.
Overall, Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center has faced numerous legal issues related to misconduct and damages. While state officials have denied many of the allegations, the cases demonstrate the need for continued oversight and reform within the prison system.