Massachusetts’ Oldest Prison in Concord Set to Close
Concord, Mass. – In a significant development, Massachusetts officials announced on Wednesday that the MCI-Concord men’s prison, the oldest operating facility of its kind in the state, will be shutting down. Opened in 1878, the medium-security prison currently operates at 50% capacity, housing around 300 inmates. The closure is part of the state’s efforts to enhance operational efficiency, save costs, and invest more in programming and services.
The decision to close MCI-Concord was shared by Attorney General Healey and administration officials as part of the FY25 budget proposal. The closure is expected to save the state $16 million. State Sen. Jamie Eldridge applauded the decision, stating that it aligns with the ongoing criminal justice reform movement to end mass incarceration. Eldridge, who chairs the senate’s judiciary committee and co-chairs the criminal justice reform caucus, emphasized the challenges of providing modern education, programming, and re-entry support in aging prison buildings.
The Department of Corrections will begin the process of transferring both staff and inmates throughout the current fiscal year. The plan is to complete the transfer to nearby facilities by July 1. MCI-Concord is one of two Department of Corrections facilities in Concord, with the other being the Northeastern Correctional Center, a minimum and pre-release facility for criminally sentenced males.
Outside of Concord, the Department of Corrections system includes several medium-security facilities for male inmates. The largest among them is MCI-Norfolk, according to the Department of Corrections.
This development marks a significant step in Massachusetts’ criminal justice reform efforts and reflects the state’s commitment to improving its prison system. Stay tuned to 7NEWS for further updates on this developing story.
