State-level solitary confinement policies/procedures and reporting requirements (Massachusetts Department of Correction)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.66, §10, I hereby request the following records:

All policies/procedures and associated reporting requirements for facilities under this agency's jurisdiction (including juvenile, privately-operated, and those of various security level) related to the segregation of an inmate/person in custody/offender due to disciplinary, classification, medical, safety, or other reasons. Please include policies/procedures/reporting requirements for all such segregation activities, including, but not limited to, those associated with the following terms:

• solitary
• solitary confinement
• Security Housing Units
• Special Housing Units
• Intensive Management Units
• Restricted Housing Units
• Communication Management Units
• disciplinary segregation
• administrative segregation
• involuntary protective custody

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by the recommendations of the Massachusetts Supervisor of Public Records. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

I expect the request to be filled in an accessible format, including for screen readers, which provide text-to-speech for persons unable to read print. Files that are not accessible to screen readers include, for example, .pdf image files as well as physical documents.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Caitlin Russell