Audit of the Massachusetts Department of Correction (December 19, 2025)

This is a state performance audit of selected DOC activities from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024, focused on health intake information, consent, interpreter services, and education or program planning for incarcerated people.

“In accordance with Section 12 of Chapter 11 of the Massachusetts General Laws, the Office of the State Auditor has conducted a performance audit of certain activities of the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024.”

Auditors checked whether DOC properly explained how incarcerated people can get healthcare, made sure they understood consent before treatment, and provided education counseling and placement for people with disabilities or limited English proficiency.

“The purpose of our audit was to determine the following:”

If DOC cannot prove that people received and understood healthcare information, interpreter help, or education planning, it cannot be sure those people were able to make informed decisions or access appropriate programs.

“DOC cannot ensure that its I/Is understand the healthcare information presented to them so that they can make informed healthcare decisions.”

For the public, this matters because prisons are taxpayer-funded and are supposed to protect basic rights, provide required services, and prepare people for safer reentry into the community.

“According to DOC management, DOC emphasizes the positive impact that educational and vocational programming has on lowering the risk of recidivism.”

The audit found four recordkeeping problems: missing proof of healthcare orientation and consent, missing proof of interpreter use for healthcare, missing annual program plans in files, and missing proof of interpreter use during program reviews.

“Below is a summary of our findings, the effects of those findings, and our recommendations, with hyperlinks to each page listed.”

DOC said it is reviewing or updating policies, training staff, auditing files, and working toward better electronic records. The Auditor’s office said it plans to follow up in about six months.

“As part of our post-audit review process, we will follow up on this matter in approximately six months.”

The report points to a broader accountability issue: DOC may be providing some services, but weak documentation makes it hard to prove people understood their rights, received interpreter help, or got appropriate education planning.

“Without a revised and executed MOU between DOC and DESE, there could be misinterpretations, disputes, and a lack of clarity regarding roles and responsibilities for each agency, which could negatively impact the education of I/Is who are eligible for special education services.”

An incarcerated individual is a person in DOC custody. A personalized program plan is the document used to guide education, vocational, or behavioral programming. A six-part folder is the official file where certain paper records are supposed to be kept.

“According to Section 155.05 of Title 103 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations, a six-part folder is defined as “an inmate record divided into six categories and the computerized inmate record used by the Department of Correction for the recording and/or filing of documents.””