Mass. Gen. Laws » Part I Title XVIII Chapter 127
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, § 51 (2026)

Establishment and maintenance of industries in correctional institutions; contracts for labor

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 51. The commissioner, and the superintendents of the correctional institutions of the commonwealth, keepers or superintendents of jails and houses of correction, shall determine the industries to be established and maintained in the respective institutions under the supervision of said officers. The prisoners in said institutions shall be employed in said industries under regulations which shall be established by the commissioner; but no contract shall be made for the labor of prisoners.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases, 1996–2013 · leading case: Josey v. DuBois, 6 Mass. L. Rptr. 287 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1996).
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Josey v. DuBois, 6 Mass. L. Rptr. 287 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1996). · cites it 4× “Breach of Contract Claim Not Barred by G.L c. 127, §51 The defendants acknowledge that Industries hired the plaintiff class and failed to pay them at the new rates during the disputed period.”
Shea v. Spencer, 31 Mass. L. Rptr. 564 (Mass. Super. Ct. 2013). “” G.L.c. 127, §51. It is likely that the Legislature enacted this prohibition to “abolish the practice of hiring out prisoners to private companies” to promote free labor interests.”
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