Middlesex County Inmate Search
A Middlesex County inmate search can be performed when seeking information regarding the location, offense, and/or offense of an arrestee or inmate. All inmate information is deemed part of Middlesex County Public Records per state law.
An arrest occurs when an individual suspected of committing an offense is apprehended and placed under restraint or taken into custody. Such apprehensions occur following the issuance of a warrant (an executive order from the court authorizing an arrest) or without a warrant and may be initiated by a law enforcement officer or private citizen (especially where the crime committed is a felony).
Per Massachusetts law (Chapter 94, Section 24 and Chapter 276, Section 28), any law enforcement officer in Middlesex County is authorized to arrest a person without a warrant and keep such a person in custody if the crime took place in the officer's presence or the officer has a legitimate reason to believe that the person violated a law.
Following an arrest in Middlesex County, the arrestee will be taken to the station for booking. At the station, a police officer will write down the individual's general information (name, age, height, address, etc.) and create an arrest report. The officer will also take the arrestee's picture and fingerprints. At the police station, arrestees have the right to a telephone call.
After the booking process, any of the following may happen:
- The arrestee will be released if the prosecutor files no charges.
- The individual will be brought before a judge or magistrate to determine if bail can be set. If the magistrate sets bail, the individual will be released after payment but with a promise to appear in court for their arraignment.
- The individual will remain in the county jail and be taken to the trial court for their arraignment.
Depending on the charges and facts surrounding a case, an arrestee may be fined or imprisoned in the local county jail or state prison.
Generally, offenders awaiting trial or convicted with sentences of two years or less are housed in the Middlesex Jail and House of Correction or may be supervised by a nearby correctional center. However, inmates serving sentences over two years or convicted of felony offenses may be sent to a state prison facility managed by the Massachusetts Department of Correction.
Inmate records are considered public in the United States and therefore are made available by both traditional governmental agencies as well as third-party websites and organizations. Third-party websites may offer an easier means to search, as these services do not face geographical limitations. However, because third-party sites are not government-sponsored, the information obtained through them may vary from official channels. To find inmate records using third-party aggregate sites, requesting parties must provide:
- The location of the sought-after record, including state, county, and city where the inmate resides.
- The name of the person listed in the record, unless it is a juvenile.
Middlesex County Crime and Incarceration Statistics
Every year, Middlesex County records over 10,000 arrests for criminal offenses, including manslaughter, murder, rape and related sexual crimes, arson, assault, theft, burglary, fraud, drug-related offenses, and lots more.
Local law enforcement agencies regularly collate Middlesex County crime and arrest statistics using the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
Based on the NIBRS crime data, offenses are grouped into Group A and B offenses. Under Group A offenses, crimes are classified into three categories: crimes against persons, crimes against property, and crimes against society.
In 2022, Middlesex County recorded 12,723 arrests, of which 94.4% (12,013) was the percentage of adults arrested, and 5.7% (710) represented the percentage of juvenile arrests.
The crime category for which most persons were arrested (5,695 arrestees) was Group B offenses. This included driving under the influence, disorderly conduct, non-violent family offenses, trespass of real property, and liquor law violations. The category with the lowest number of arrests was Crimes Against Society (836 arrestees in 2022).
Compared to the 2020 report, where Middlesex County recorded 12.244 arrests, the 2022 statistics show a 3.9% increase in local arrests.
For the latest arrest or incarceration statistics in Middlesex County, requesters can contact the sheriff's office at (781) 960-2800 or initiate a public records request following the instructions on the public information page.
Middlesex County Prison System
The Middlesex County Jail system is the correctional service for the county area run by the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office. It consists of a single housing facility (Middlesex jail and House of Correction) that houses individuals (majorly men) awaiting trial and inmates serving sentences of up to 2 ½ years. The facility has a holding capacity of 1,501. The county's corrections system also has a transportation, victim service, and health services unit that addresses the inmates' mental and physical health needs.
As of October 4, 2021, the inmate population in the Middlesex County jail, according to the Massachusetts DOC's inspection report, was 595 - about 40% of the jail's rated capacity.
In addition to the jail facility, the sheriff's office also manages a pre-release center for female inmates to help prepare them to successfully return to the community after serving their sentences. The center is in a standalone building within the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction. The county sheriff's office also operates a training academy, administrative units in Medford, and Civil Process Division offices in Cambridge and Lowell.
Apart from the county jail, other detention facilities within the county serve the needs of the city or towns in which they are situated. The local police departments in major cities and towns manage these facilities, which do not house individuals for more than 72 hours.
How to Find an Inmate in Middlesex County
Generally, interested persons can obtain information about an inmate in Middlesex County by calling the county jail administrators at (978) 667-1711. Usually, the requester will need to provide some information about the inmate of interest, such as the inmate's full name, date of birth, or booking number.
Another option is to visit the sheriff's office to submit a formal inquiry to the officer in charge.
How Does a Middlesex County Inmate Search Work?
The Massachusetts Public Records Law, which fortifies citizens' right to apply for and obtain copies of documents in the possession of government agencies, permits the release of inmate information upon request. This means that private individuals can conduct inmate searches through law enforcement agencies in Middlesex County to access details about inmates. Data accessible to requesters include:
- Inmate's personal information: full name, sex, race, age, and date of birth
- Booking photograph (or mugshot)
- Physical description (hair color, eye color, height, and weight)
- Booking number
- Bail amount (if applicable)
- Presiding court
- Next court appearance
- Arrest details: the arrest date and time, arresting agency, and the booking date, time, and location
- Charge(s)
- Release information (dates, etc.)
Some inmate records are exempt from public access by law. Such records include juvenile inmate records and records sealed following the record owner's application for sealing or expungement.
Where to Find a Middlesex County Inmate Locator
A county sheriff's website is the usual place to find a county inmate locator. However, the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office does not have an online inmate locator on its website. Information on persons incarcerated in the local jail can only be accessed via telephone or in person.
Individuals looking for county inmates transferred to a state correctional facility located in Middlesex County or another county should access the inmate locator provided on the Massachusetts Department of Correction's website. Requesters must have an inmate's first and last name or commitment number to access records.
Only information on offenders in state prisons managed by the Department of Correction (DOC) is available through the state inmate locator. Where an individual is incarcerated in a federal prison run by the Bureau of Prisons, requesting parties should use the agency's inmate locator to find an inmate's location, identifying details, or other relevant information.
Besides the correctional agencies, which are the official inmate record sources, some third-party public records websites offer search tools that help interested members of the public retrieve inmate records. A person can search such sites with an inmate's first or last name and state of incarceration - although they will almost often need to pay a fee to access the results.
How to Send Money to a Middlesex County Inmate
Citizens can send money to their relatives and loved ones at the Middlesex County jail in person, via telephone, or online. Deposits are made to an inmate's trust account, which is opened on behalf of the inmate during the booking process for depositing funds.
To deposit money in person, an individual must go to the kiosk in the jail lobby (see address below) with a valid means of identification within specific hours.
Middlesex County Jail and House of Correction
269 Treble Cove Road
Billerica, Massachusetts
Online and telephone deposits take place through a third-party platform. Parties should visit the sheriff's website for more details on accessing this platform, as well as the in-person deposit hours.
Regardless of the method used to send money to a Middlesex County inmate, all depositors must provide an inmate's name or booking ID for a successful transaction.
How to Visit a Middlesex County Inmate
The sheriff's office allows Middlesex County inmates and detainees to have a maximum of two visitors (excluding children) per visit. Visitors can stop by the detention center or connect to an inmate via video. Irrespective of the preferred visitation mode, visitors (attorneys, friends, and professionals) must comply with the jail's visitation requirements.
First, based on Chapter 127, Section 36 of the Mass. General laws, before any visit can occur, the intending visitor must obtain the permission of the commissioner or (in this case) the county sheriff or jail superintendent. Visitors must fill out a form-,Forms,-Former%20Inmate%20Request) to obtain permission and select a preferred time per the visitation schedule. Visits are only permitted for 45 minutes.
All visitors must come with a valid means of identification, such as a driver's license, Massachusetts ID card, and U.S. Military ID.
Visitors are also subject to random security checks, including passing through a metal detector before gaining admission into the detention facility. Refusing to comply with the search procedures may result in a revocation of the visitor's privileges. In addition, visitors must comply with the following rules:
- Visitors must dress appropriately and comply with the dress code regulations. No visitor wearing revealing, offensive, or suggestive clothing will be permitted into the facility or allowed on a video call.
- Visitors may bring in articles, but all articles shall be thoroughly searched.
- Persons under 17 must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or legal guardian.
- Visitors shall not bring dangerous weapons, liquors, or drugs into the facility.
- No visitor should be under the influence of narcotics, alcohol, or drugs.
- Visitors must conduct themselves reasonably and not engage in physical contact with an inmate that is excessive or inappropriate for a public place.
- Visitors cannot bring their pocketbooks, wallets, or purses into Middlesex Jail and House of Correction.
- Visitors cannot deliver anything to the inmates except through an officer in charge.
- Before any visit, the visitor must present a confirmation of their current address.
While the sheriff's office approves a 45-minute visiting period from Monday to Sunday, the Shift Commander may extend or shorten the period, depending on the number of visits. Further, Middlesex County inmates are only allowed one visit in each 45-minute block.
For video-to-video visitation, the sheriff's department partners with an independent video communication platform that allows friends, loved ones, attorneys, and public officials to schedule and participate in video sessions with incarcerated persons from anywhere. Visitors must create an account on the platform to schedule visits.
Note: Ex-inmates must obtain approval from the facility before a visit. To obtain consent, the individual must complete the Former Inmate/Felony Conviction Form and submit it to the address stated on the form. Former inmates incarcerated within the previous year are ineligible to visit a Middlesex County inmate.
Additionally, the above procedures do not apply to other correctional facilities in Middlesex County. In such cases, interested persons should contact the agency in charge to inquire about their visitation procedures. For example, MCI-Framingham, a state prison in Middlesex County, has a distinct visiting procedure accessible on the state DOC's website.
How to Send Jail Mail in Middlesex County
The Middlesex Sheriff's Office provides traditional and electronic mail messaging options for inmates and detainees at the Middlesex Jail and House of Correction. This means that incarcerated persons can receive mail from friends, family, and other members of the public.
For traditional mail messaging, interested parties may send mail to inmates at the address below.
Individual's full name (and ID Number if available)
Middlesex Sheriff's Office
269, Treble Cove Road
Billerica, MA 01862
All mail must adhere to the facility's inmate mail procedures. For example, senders must include a handwritten return address on the top left corner of the envelope. Senders must also ensure proper postage, as mail may be returned by the post office where postage is considered insufficient.
In addition to the procedures, the sheriff's department outlines a list of items prohibited from being mailed to inmates. These include:
- Blank paper
- Envelopes
- Polaroid pictures (regular photos are permitted)
- Musical greeting cards
- Homemade articles made with tape, glue, or stickers
- Stickers
- Catalogs or sales brochures
- Official certificates or documents (such documents should be sent through a legal advisor, caseworker, or parole officer)
- Magazines, newspapers, book clippings, or pages
- Laminated or plastic items like ID cards, credit cards, motivational cards, bookmarks, baseball cards, and charms and medals
- Spiral-bound items, metal or plastic, calendars
- Toiletries
- Prayer beads/rosary
Electronic Messaging
Aside from direct mail, family and friends can communicate with loved ones in custody via SecureMail, an electronic mail messaging option to send and receive electronic mail. Details on how the electronic messaging works can be accessed on the sheriff's website. Also, individuals can contact the sheriff's office via telephone for further information.
Middlesex County Jails and Prisons
There are over 15 correctional/detention facilities in Middlesex County, Massachusetts - some of which are under the supervision of the Massachusetts Department of Correction and others by local police departments. The following are the names, contact information, and addresses of some jail and prison facilities in Middlesex County.
Local jails in Middlesex County
Middlesex Jail and House of Correction
269 Treble Cove Road
Billerica, MA 01862
Phone: (978) 667-1711
Lowell Jail
50 Arcand Drive
Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: (978) 937-3200
Cambridge Jail
125 Sixth Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
Phone: (617) 349-3300
State Prisons in Middlesex County
MCI Framingham
99 Loring Drive
Framingham, MA 01701
Phone: (508) 532-5100
MCI Shirley
1 Harvard Road
Shirley, MA 01464
Phone: (978) 425-4341
South Middlesex Correctional Center
135 Western Avenue
Framingham, MA 01701
Phone: (508) 879-1241
