Press Release: 5/22/2025

Massachusetts Department of Correction Reaches Agreement in Class Action Lawsuit Arising from 2020 Events at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center

 



Settlement agreement to distribute over $6 million dollars to class members, reflects DOC’s continuing commitment to advancing best practices in correctional policy 



 



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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



5/21/2025



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Scott J. Croteau, Director of Media Relations



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MILFORD — Today, the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with plaintiffs in a class-action brought by Prisoners' Legal Services related to events that occurred in early 2020 at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center (SBCC). The resolution reflects the Department’s deep commitment to correctional policies guided by best practices, accountability, and collaboration. In addition to policy changes, the agreement includes a financial settlement of over $6 million that will be distributed among the plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit in varying amounts.  



The class action lawsuit represents approximately 150 current and formerly incarcerated individuals and relates to events at Souza-Baranowski, the state’s maximum-security prison in Shirley, Massachusetts. On January 10, 2020, several incarcerated individuals perpetrated a violent assault on correction officers, resulting in serious injuries to four officers. In response, the facility was placed in secure status through February 6, 2020, during which time tactical responses were carried out in an effort to restore order to the facility. 



“The resolution of this matter reflects the DOC’s steadfast commitment to promoting the safety and security of everyone who lives and works within our state correctional facilities,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “We remain dedicated to partnering with the DOC and its stakeholders to ensure a correctional environment that meets its complex operational demands while advancing rehabilitation in a way that is fair, just, and effective for all.”  



“This settlement represents a final step in a series of actions the Department of Correction has taken in response to the incident, including a thorough review of existing policies and the implementation of key reforms,” said DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins. “The DOC did not wait for settlement discussions to act. We proactively amended use of force regulations, updated policies on K-9 deployment and disciplinary investigations, and implemented a Body-Worn Camera policy to enhance transparency, accountability, and training across all DOC facilities.”



Following the January 2020 incident, DOC embarked upon a thorough review of existing policies, consulted with national experts, and researched best practices, drawing, where appropriate, from reforms and improvements made in the law enforcement field. This process led to the first amendments to Use of Force Regulations since 2009.  



Since January 2020, the DOC has taken the following actions: 




  • Implemented several changes to its Use of Force policy, including but not limited to, enhanced training on de-escalation and duty to intervene, clearer guidance on use of restraints, and revised activation protocols for the Special Operations Response Unit (SORU), which now requires the Commissioner’s approval. Whenever the SORU team is activated, the Video Response Team is automatically activated to accompany and document the response.

  • Strengthened requirements for reporting and investigating uses of force, including reviews of certain uses of force by an executive-level, multidisciplinary committee. Updated standards emphasize de-escalation techniques and adopt the use of a specially trained team to assist in any situation that may necessitate crisis intervention. The regulation also established a Professional Standards Unit, reporting directly to the Commissioner, to investigate staff misconduct allegations.

  • Revised its K-9 policy limiting the use of Patrol K-9s only when needed to gain control during major disorder situations and only deployed with the Commissioner’s approval. Narcotics and contraband detection K-9s remain in use for those purposes only. 

  • Implemented a Body-Worn Camera Program, requiring correction officers to activate cameras when responding or as witness to critical incidents and emergencies, such as assaults, suicide attempts, deaths, fires, escapes, or uses of force. Additionally, body worn camera activation is necessary during an interaction between a correction officer and incarcerated individual that escalates or poses a safety and security risk.   



Pending the Court’s approval, among the agreed upon policy improvements, the settlement agreement provides for: 




  • Creating an anonymous tipline for employees to report staff misconduct.

  • Requiring staff with sustained complaints of excessive force to be removed from the Special Operations Response Unit. They may not reapply for three years following the date of the incident. Photographing incarcerated individual injuries after a use of force, whether injuries are visible or not.

  • Increased transparency by requiring Special Operations Response Unit members to wear highly visible nametags on their vests.

  • Imposing progressive discipline on officers who fail to use body worn cameras (BWC) as required by the BWC policy.



The Department will continue to work with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the effective roll-out and long-term sustainability of these policies.