Bristol County Corrections, MA

Pack light for visits at Bristol County Corrections. Lockers are available for personal items—you'll pay a small fee that's refunded when you return the key. Jackets, coats, umbrellas, and vests aren't allowed in the visiting area, so stash them in a locker. Expect to be searched. Refusing or failing a search can cost you your visiting privileges. Leave pens and pencils at home unless you have special authorization. Bringing an infant? You're limited to a lightweight receiving blanket, a pacifier, and a plastic feeding bottle. Diaper bags aren't allowed. The Security Reception Officer has final say on what's permitted, so check the facility's visiting information before you go.

Bristol County Corrections uses Securus for inmate communications. Good news: after a Massachusetts law change effective Dec. 1, 2023, Securus services here are free—phone calls, Video Connect, Text Connect, eMessaging, eCard, VideoGram, and photo attachments all cost nothing. You'll still need to set up a Securus account to receive calls. The inmate email system also runs through Securus, letting your loved one get social (non-legal) e-messages on their tablet. One heads-up: Securus advised using any prepaid calling cards and stamps before Dec. 1 because balances were zeroed out with no refunds. Phone calls and eMessages are recorded and reviewed under facility policy, so complete your vendor account setup and any approval steps before expecting calls or scheduling video visits.

Sending mail to someone at Bristol County Corrections is straightforward once you understand how it's processed. Legal and privileged mail gets special handling: staff open and copy it only in the inmate's presence to check for contraband, then secure the originals until discharge or authorization. Personal letters are often inspected or processed offsite, and your loved one may receive a copy or digital version instead of the original. To make sure your mail gets through, address it with the person's full name and ID number (if you have it), include your return name and address, and use correct postage. Stick to plain white paper with black or blue ink (or non-colored pencil), and send only original, unaltered photos.

Several options exist for sending money to someone at Bristol County Corrections (Dartmouth House of Correction). For in-person deposits, use the lobby kiosk between 8AM–4PM. It accepts cash only—no credit or debit cards. You can't drop off mail or parcels for inmates there. To mail a deposit, send a money order to Access Corrections – Bristol County, MA, P.O. Box 12486, St. Louis, MO 63132. Mailed money orders post to the inmate's account on delivery with no ten-day hold, but there's a $300 daily deposit limit. Watch for extra costs: returned money orders or checks trigger a $25 handling fee. Using a P.O. Box as your sender address can slow processing or require you to include a driver's license or state ID number. Access Corrections also offers online and mobile deposit options.