As an essential part of its daily operations, Office of the General Counsel maintains under its jurisdiction the Legal Services Division, with one division at the Suffolk County Jail and another at the House of Correction.

It is the mission of Inmate Legal Services at the Jail to provide counsel for pretrial detainees to exercise their statutory right to a bail appeal pursuant to M.G.L. c. 276 §58. The Legal Services Division continues to argue bail appeals for selected pretrial detainees. Bail appeals can also occur in the Jail, via a videoconferencing system which was established to reduce cost and more easily facilitate bail appeals for offenders.

For inmates who remain in custody during their trial, departmental attorneys also provide legal research upon request from a detainee. Legal Services also processes legal requests and handles detainee commitments to Bridgewater State Hospital for 30-day psychiatric evaluation under M.G.L. c. 123 §18(A).

The mission of Inmate Legal Services division at the House of Correction is to serve as a legal representative for inmates incarcerated at the prison and work with external agencies on behalf of the inmate. In 2001, attorneys participated in Department of Revenue Child Support Modification training to implement a program, which would educate inmates with various parent support issues that may affect them during and after incarceration.

The Massachusetts General Law Authorizing Statutes that guide the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department are as follows:

• Provisions of County Jail, MGL c. 34 s.3
• Election, Term of Sheriff, MGL c. 37, s. 1, MGL 54, s.159
• Custody and Control of Jails, MGL c.125 s.1
• Transportation of Prisoners MGL c.37 s.24-25
• Compliance with Correctional Standards, MGL c.127 s. 1a-1b
• Detention of Prisoners from other Counties MGL. 279 s.38
• Medical Care for Prisoners, MGL 127 s. 177a
• Custody of Prisoners, MGL. C248, s.18
• Obligation to Provide House of Correction, MGL 34, s. 3
• Power to Build, Repair. MGL 34. S.14
• Obligation to Receive Inmates Committed, MGL. C. 268, s. 20
• County Commissioners of Suffolk County, MGL. C.34, s.4
• Inspection, Operation, Supervision, etc. MGL c. 126, MGL c. 127, s 1a-10, 169
• Regulations, 3 CMR 900l CMR 451-459, MGL c.6, s167-178, 803 CMR 2-6
• Powers and Duties, CDC St. 12. S.350-357, CBC Ord. 12, s. 350-353
• Deeds Excise, MGL c. 64d

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