SHIRLEY, Mass. — An assault that injured five guards at the Souza-Baranowski Corrections Center has renewed calls for systemic changes within Massachusetts’ maximum security prisons. The incident on Wednesday not only highlighted the ongoing issue of violence but also resurrected concerns about the welfare of corrections personnel and the effectiveness of inmate programs designed to reduce such risks.
State Sen. Jamie Eldridge, a central figure in Massachusetts’ criminal justice reform efforts, stressed the negative influence of the current prison environment, describing it as one of the worst in the state. The Middlesex/Worcester Democrat, who has been a frequent visitor to the facility and a proponent of comprehensive criminal justice reform, argued that the focus after violent incidents often wrongly concentrates on stripping prisoners of their rights rather than addressing underlying issues.
According to Eldridge, enhancing educational and rehabilitation programs inside the prisons could drastically improve their culture and decrease the prevalence of violence. He advocated for such investments, suggesting that they are crucial in mitigating assaults and fostering a safer environment for both staff and inmates.
Amidst rising concerns, Dennis Martin, head of the Massachusetts Correction Officers Federated Union, revealed startling statistics at a Thursday press conference: over the past three months, 70 weapons had been confiscated inside the facility, and there had been 30 assaults on corrections officers. Martin vehemently criticized the Department of Corrections for what he perceived as insufficient action to protect officers, labeling the prison a perilous locale.
In response to the assault, Shawn Jenkins, the interim commissioner of the Department of Corrections, announced plans for an exhaustive security review and a revamp of existing protocols to bolster safety at the facility. “Our correction officers perform an essential and difficult job. Their safety is our top priority,” Jenkins declared, reassuring stakeholders of the department’s commitment to its personnel.
Recent data from the department underscores a disconcerting trend — a 13% increase in staff assaults, though not all resulted in significant injuries. Specifically, serious injuries among staff dropped from 12 in 2021 to seven in 2023, even as overall assaults in maximum security settings rose from 149 to 175 over the same period.
Echoing Eldridge’s sentiment, Governor Maura Healey was urged to clamp down on the department’s tendency to allow individual facilities too much autonomy. Consolidating programming across all facilities could lead to better safety outcomes, Eldridge argued, adding that inmates engaged in meaningful activities are generally less likely to re-offend.
Acknowledging the broader challenges, Eldridge called upon the Legislature to augment funding for prison programs. He noted that resistance to such programming from officers at Souza Baranowski exacerbates idleness and tension among inmates, increasing the likelihood of disruptive behavior.
“I fully recognize the complexities of managing incarcerated individuals, some of whom have committed grave crimes,” Eldridge added. But he firmly believes that enhancing their access to educational and rehabilitative programming is the most effective strategy for improving behavior and treating inmates with humanity — crucial elements in reducing the cycle of violence.