State/local policies re: hostages within correctional facilities (Department of Correction)

Dear Ms. Lipton,

Please find attached to this email the MA Department of Correction’s response to your public records request concerning policies regarding hostages within our institutions.

Darren Duarte
Director of Public Affairs
Massachusetts Department of Correction
50 Maple Street
Milford, MA 01757
Ph# (508) 422-3317

On Oct. 23, 2015:
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, memorandums of agreements, other memos, directives, communications, occurrence reports, and any other relevant materials regarding the reporting, negotiations, control, aftermath, and general treatment of hostages taken or individuals restrained in a hostage-like manner by individuals detained or under the supervision of facilities maintained under the jurisdiction of this agency, including juvenile, local, and private facilities, if applicable. If additional policies are maintained by other agencies, direction indicating such would be greatly appreciated.

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 fees cannot be waived, 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 calendar days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Beryl Lipton

Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com<mailto:requests@muckrock.com>

For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock
DEPT MR 22007
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516

PLEASE NOTE: This request was filed by a MuckRock staff reporter. Also note that improperly addressed (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.
[http://email.requests.muckrock.com/o/eJwNzsEOgyAMANCvGTebthSQA9-yAMVoFnVhuGR_P-_v8DQ5582WGMkjYyREpAgsEFhseAgWzDaKypSLlEkcLVOsyzzVyMQYSCkQvPt3gP6OE_qAtfXzdUE9d7OmHFxoPgvGVltR74qrC2Jp1qpInc3N9uemiVk8selJc-_tAL1yH-0OfEYeDfYM1-cP8UUyvA]