Press Release: 4/29/2026

Massachusetts Department of Correction Partners with Recidiviz to Help Individuals Prepare for Release

 



New Tablet-Based Tool Helps Individuals Track Release Timelines and Prepare for Successful Return to the Community



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:



4/28/2026



 



MEDIA CONTACT



Lindsay Corcoran, Deputy Director of Media Relations



 Phone



Call Lindsay Corcoran, Deputy Director of Media Relations at 774-527-9418



 Online



Email Lindsay Corcoran, Deputy Director of Media Relations at Lindsay.A.Corcoran@doc.state.ma.us



MILFORD — In recognition of Second Chance Month, the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) is announcing the launch of a new tablet-based application for incarcerated individuals, developed in partnership with technology nonprofit Recidiviz, to provide easier access to release date information and help individuals feel more prepared for reentry. 



The Opportunities app, a nation-leading tool developed by Recidiviz, allows incarcerated individuals to track earned good time from participation in programs and employment. Now accessible on DOC-issued tablets, the app also provides updated timelines for key milestones, including maximum release dates and release-to-supervision dates.  



“Massachusetts is using innovation to strengthen public safety and support successful reentry,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By expanding access to clear, real-time information, we are helping individuals take the steps they need to transition back into their communities while supporting the staff who do this work every day.” 



“This is about giving people the tools to plan ahead and succeed,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “When individuals understand their timeline and what is expected of them, they are more likely to engage in programs that lead to better outcomes for themselves and safer communities for all of us.” 



Providing individuals with clear visibility into their anticipated release timing supports more effective reentry planning by enabling them to complete critical, time-sensitive steps in advance, including securing essential identification documents such as a state ID, coordinating benefits enrollment, confirming housing arrangements, and accessing social services supports. This helps ensure greater continuity and stability upon release. 



“Collaboration and innovation are essential to making our criminal justice system more effective,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Gina Kwon. “Partnering with Recidiviz allows the Department of Correction to harness data in new ways that benefit both staff and incarcerated individuals, paving the way for safer reintegration and better long-term outcomes.” 



The launch reflects DOC’s continued commitment to improving outcomes for both incarcerated individuals and staff by leveraging technology to streamline operations. 



By giving individuals direct access to this information, the app enhances the effectiveness of correctional program officers, allowing them to allocate more time to other areas of case management. 



“Our mission is to prepare individuals in our custody for successful reentry while maintaining the highest standards of safety and security,” said DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins. “The Opportunities app is an important step forward, providing incarcerated individuals with real-time access to information about their progress while supporting our staff through more efficient operations.” 



In partnership with Recidiviz, the Department is also advancing efforts to bring greater transparency to criminal justice data. By connecting and sharing data in real time, DOC and Recidiviz aim to highlight each individual’s best path toward successful reentry to the community. 



Recidiviz began in 2019 as a nonprofit after first starting as a volunteer project at Google. Today, it builds open-source software platforms for corrections agencies, cleaning and connecting data from existing systems to provide agency leadership and staff with a complete, timely, and actionable picture of what is working and what is not. Massachusetts is one of 19 states currently partnering with Recidiviz to drive better criminal justice outcomes for individuals and communities. 



“Recidiviz is excited to support the trailblazing efforts of leadership and dedicated staff at Massachusetts DOC,” said Recidiviz CEO Clementine Jacoby. “With this new app, incarcerated individuals will have continuous access to information that will help them understand the steps to succeed, and correctional program officers will have more time for the human side of their work. We think it’s a win-win.” 



By increasing transparency, the app encourages engagement in programming that supports rehabilitation and successful reentry. 



As part of its broader commitment to recidivism reduction, the DOC offers a wide range of educational and vocational programs, including: 




  • Educational Programming: Instructors from the DOC and partner institutions provide opportunities for students to earn their HiSET, academic certificates and Bachelor’s Degrees. The DOC is operating in-person classes at full capacity and continues to create new opportunities to meet learners at all levels. 

  • In-Demand Job Skill Training: Instructors deliver hands-on training in fields such as computer coding (e.g., The Last Mile and Persevere), metal fabrication, printing operations, computer-aided design, optical manufacturing, barbering, culinary arts, diesel mechanics and small engine repair. These programs help students develop practical, employable skills. 

  • Tablet Initiative: The DOC’s innovative tablet program equips incarcerated individuals with personal devices that provide access to a wide range of educational and vocational content. Incarcerated individuals participated in more than 446,000 program hours, completed 3,209 courses and conducted 283,000 job searches through DOC-issued tablets in 2025. The tablets supplement in-person learning and help accelerate academic and job readiness across facilities. 

  • Virtual Education Team: The Virtual Education Team designs and delivers original learning modules tailored to meet the educational needs of incarcerated individuals. A cornerstone of their work is the Transferable Skills program, which features over 100 modules on a wide range of subjects including HiSET preparation, math, art, culture, music, languages, and history. In 2025, the Virtual Education Team delivered nearly 104,000 minutes of instruction across 2,190 sessions.  



About the Massachusetts Department of Correction  



The Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) manages the custody, care, and rehabilitation of approximately 6,000 individuals across 13 state facilities. The DOC emphasizes evidence-based programming, trauma-informed care and educational and vocational training to reduce recidivism and is committed to fostering accountability, personal growth and successful reentry. Through partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders, the DOC delivers innovative services tailored to the diverse needs of incarcerated individuals while advancing equity, inclusion and long-term public safety.  



About Recidiviz 



Recidiviz is a technology nonprofit that spun out from Google and now partners with corrections agencies across the country to drive change at scale. Our team of product designers, engineers, and data scientists builds digital assistants for corrections staff at every stage of the system, including a Sentencing Assistant, Facilities Assistant, and Supervision Assistant. These tools provide real-time, actionable insights into caseloads and automate key tasks, fostering a proactive approach to reentry that results in better outcomes for individuals and communities alike.