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This page lists all 12 juvenile facilities in Massachusetts. You can browse by county below, search for specific facilities, or navigate to related pages.
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About Juvenile Facilities in Massachusetts
Understanding juvenile facilities in the Massachusetts
Welcome to the most complete and up-to-date directory of juvenile detention facilities and youth correctional centers in Massachusetts. This page lists every active juvenile justice facility operating in Massachusetts, providing parents, guardians, family members, attorneys, social workers, and advocates with fast, reliable access to accurate information about the juvenile justice system. Whether you need to locate a young person who has been detained, find contact details for a specific facility, understand visitation procedures, or learn how the juvenile correctional system works in Massachusetts, everything you need is available right here.
Understanding the Juvenile Justice System
The juvenile justice system in Massachusetts operates separately from the adult criminal justice system. It is designed around the principle that young people have a greater capacity for rehabilitation than adults, and that the primary goal should be rehabilitation rather than punishment.
Depending on the severity of the offense, the young person's age, and their prior record, they may be released to their parents, placed on probation, assigned to a community-based program, or committed to a juvenile detention facility. The facilities on this page represent the full range of secure and non-secure options.
How Juvenile Justice Differs From the Adult System
- Focus on Rehabilitation: Prioritizes treatment, education, and behavioral change over punishment.
- Confidentiality: Juvenile records are generally sealed and not part of the public record.
- Juvenile Court: Cases are handled in juvenile court with different proceedings, terminology, and outcomes.
- Age Jurisdiction: Typically under 18, though serious offenses may be transferred to adult court.
- Shorter Commitments: Commitments are generally shorter and reviewed regularly for progress.
- Family Involvement: Parents and guardians are expected to be involved in hearings and programming.
Types of Juvenile Facilities in Massachusetts
- Juvenile Detention Centers (JDC): Short-term secure facilities for youth awaiting court hearings or placement decisions.
- Youth Correctional Facilities: Long-term secure facilities with comprehensive educational, vocational, and therapeutic programming.
- Residential Treatment Centers: Intensive mental health, substance abuse, or behavioral treatment in residential settings.
- Group Homes: Less restrictive placements where youth live in supervised community settings.
- Wilderness/Boot Camp Programs: Outdoor therapeutic or structured physical challenge programs.
- Transition Facilities: Facilities for youth nearing the end of commitment transitioning back to community.
How to Use This Directory
- Browse the full directory of all juvenile facilities in Massachusetts by scrolling below.
- Filter by county using the dropdown to narrow results to a specific region.
- Switch states using the state selector to load juvenile facilities in any other US state.
- Click any facility to open its dedicated page with contact details and visitation information.
- Contact the facility directly for the most current information about a young person in their care.
Finding a Young Person in a Juvenile Facility
Locating a minor in a juvenile facility can be more complex than finding an adult because juvenile records are protected by confidentiality laws. However, parents and legal guardians have the right to know where their child is being held. Browse the directory to find the juvenile facility in the area where the young person was arrested, then contact the facility directly. You can also use our free US inmate locator tool to search across facilities.
Visiting a Juvenile Facility
Maintaining family connections is crucial for rehabilitation. Most facilities encourage family visits and offer family therapy sessions. Parents and legal guardians typically have priority visitation rights. Click any facility to view specific visitation guidelines.
Communicating With Youth
Most facilities offer phone access, mail, and sometimes email or video communication. Phone calls are outbound only to pre-approved numbers. Read our calling guide for setup instructions.
Legal Rights & Representation
Every young person has the right to legal representation, to be informed of charges, to a hearing before a judge, and to appeal decisions. Securing qualified legal representation early is one of the most important steps parents can take.
Programs & Education
Most facilities offer mandatory education (GED and grade-level schooling), vocational training, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, life skills development, and family engagement programs.
Sending Money
Many facilities allow family members to deposit funds into a young person's account for commissary purchases — hygiene products, snacks, stationery, and sometimes phone credits. Accepted deposit methods vary by facility.
Release & Reentry
Release is the beginning of a critical transition period requiring careful planning. Young people face challenges including school reintegration, community supervision requirements, rebuilding peer relationships, and managing the stigma of a record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Juvenile Facilities by County in Massachusetts
View facilities organized by county
Filter Juvenile Facilities by County
Massachusetts has Juvenile Facilities spread across dozens of counties, and finding the right one quickly can be challenging without the right tools. Use the county list below to instantly narrow results and view only the Juvenile Facilities in a specific county within Massachusetts. This is particularly helpful if you are trying to locate someone who was recently arrested in a specific area, or if you are planning a visit and need to find the closest facility to your location.
All Juvenile Facilities in Massachusetts
Complete listing of juvenile facilities
Browse the Complete List of Juvenile Detention Facilities in Massachusetts
The full directory of juvenile detention and youth correctional facilities in Massachusetts is displayed below. Every active facility within Massachusetts's juvenile justice system is included. Each entry includes the facility name, location, county, facility type, and contact information. Juvenile facilities house minors — individuals under 18, or up to 21 depending on state law — who have been detained, adjudicated, or committed through the juvenile court system.
| Facility Name | County | Action |
|---|---|---|
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Mass. Juvenile Detention - Barnstable
3195 Main St|PO Box 427, Barnstable, MA 02630
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Barnstable | View Details |
|
Berkshire County MA Juvenile Resource Center
264 Second St, Pittsfield, MA 01201
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Berkshire | View Details |
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Bristol County MA Juvenile Detention
323 Mill St, New Bedford, MA 02740
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Bristol | View Details |
|
Southeast Region - Department of Youth Services
90 Stevens St, East Taunton, MA 02780
|
Bristol | View Details |
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Mass Juvenile Detention - Essex
20 Manning Ave |PO Box 807, Middleton, MA 01949-2807
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Essex | View Details |
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Mass Juvenile Detention - Hampden
121 Elm St, Holyoke, MA 01040
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Hampden | View Details |
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Western Region - Department of Youth Services
280 Tinkham Road, Springfield, MA 01129
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Hampden | View Details |
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Mass. Juvenile Detention - Plymouth
26 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, MA 02360
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Plymouth | View Details |
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Mass Juvenile Detention - Suffolk
24 New Chardon St, Boston, MA 02114
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Suffolk | View Details |
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Metropolitan Region - Department of Youth Services
425 Harvard St, Dorchester, MA 02124
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Suffolk | View Details |
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Central Region - Department of Youth Services
288 Lyman St
PO Box 1380, Westborough, MA 01581
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Worcester | View Details |
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Mass Juvenile Detention - Worcester MA
Wallace Ave, Fitchburg, MA 01420
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Worcester | View Details |
Juvenile Facilities in Other States
Browse juvenile facilities in other states
Explore Juvenile Facilities in Other States
Looking for juvenile facilities beyond Massachusetts? We've got you covered. Use the state selectors below to instantly switch to a full directory of juvenile facilities in any other US state. Whether you need to look up facilities in a neighboring state or search across the country, our nationwide directory makes it simple to find the information you need in just a few clicks.