Families and loved ones of incarcerated individuals at North Central Correctional Institution (NCCI Gardner) are calling for the restoration of humane and meaningful visitation policies that once supported family bonds, rehabilitation, and community stability.

In 2017, weekday visitation hours, previously available Monday through Thursday, were eliminated. Families are now limited to visiting only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This change has created significant barriers for many families, especially those who travel long distances, work weekday schedules, or must coordinate visits around school schedules for their children. For families traveling from out of state or several hours away, the limited visitation window often requires taking multiple days off work, arranging overnight lodging, and absorbing substantial travel expenses.

Additionally, visitation practices have not returned to their pre-COVID standards. Prior to the pandemic, families were permitted to sit side-by-side during visits, hold hands, and provide comfort to one another. Today, years after COVID restrictions have eased across most institutions and public settings, families at NCCI Gardner are still required to sit several feet apart with no meaningful contact permitted beyond a brief hug at the beginning and end of the visit.

For many incarcerated individuals serving long sentences, these visits are their only opportunity to maintain emotional connection with their spouses, children, and parents. Limiting physical contact and restricting visitation days weakens family bonds that research consistently shows are critical for rehabilitation, mental stability, and successful reintegration.

Families and supporters respectfully request that the Massachusetts Department of Correction restore meaningful visitation opportunities at NCCI Gardner, including the return of weekday visitation options and the reinstatement of reasonable contact visitation practices that allow families to sit together and provide appropriate comfort during visits.