Mass. Gen. Laws » Part I Title VI Chapter 34
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 34, § 3 (2026)

Public buildings

✓ text as last checked Sept. 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Section 3. Each county shall provide suitable jails, houses of correction, fireproof offices and other public buildings, including both the structures and the land upon which such structures are sited, necessary for its use; provided, however, that the county of Dukes need not provide a house of correction; provided, further, that the city of Boston shall provide necessary public buildings, including both the structures and the land upon which such structures are sited, for Suffolk county; provided, further, that the obligation to provide suitable structures of jails and houses of correction shall become that of the commonwealth and shall cease to be that of such counties or city in the event that the commonwealth constructs such facilities for such county or city; provided, further, that in any such county or city which has been ordered by a court to construct a new correctional facility, state assumption of the responsibility to provide such structure shall occur when the state appropriates funds therefor and such county or city has complied with any conditions attached to such appropriation, if any; and, provided further, that notwithstanding the fact that the commonwealth may have assumed the responsibilities of providing a suitable structure for such facilities, the counties and the city shall retain the obligation to provide for the operation and maintenance of such facilities. No courtroom of the superior court shall contain a cage for defendants.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9 cases, 1927–2006 · leading case: Sullivan v. Chief Just. for Admin. & Mgmt. of the Trial Court, 448 Mass. 15 (2006).
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Sullivan v. Chief Just. for Admin. & Mgmt. of the Trial Court, 448 Mass. 15 (2006). “See G. L. c. 34, § 3, as amended through St. 1965, c.”
Attorney Gen. v. Sheriff of Suffolk Cnty., 477 N.E.2d 361 (Mass. 1985). · cites it 2× “The starting point of any discussion of the court’s power to order city officials to construct a jail is G. L. c. 34, § 3, which orders each county to provide suitable jails for its use.”
Commonwealth v. Cnty. of Suffolk, 418 N.E.2d 1234 (Mass. 1981). · cites it 2× “G. L. c. 34, §§ 3, 14, as amended through St.”
McIntyre v. Cnty. Commissioners of Cnty. of Bristol, 254 N.E.2d 242 (Mass. 1969). · cites it 7× “It is alleged that the present court house facilities are inadequate, that the county commissioners are charged by G. L. c. 34, §§ 3 and 14, with a duty of providing suitable court houses, and that by St.”
Richardson v. Sheriff of Middlesex Cnty., 553 N.E.2d 1286 (Mass. 1990). “” The sheriff contends that the Middlesex county commissioners are necessary parties because under G. L. c. 34, § 3, counties are to provide suitable jails, and because under G.”
Commonwealth v. Handren, 158 N.E. 894 (Mass. 1927). “Atteaux, a judge, and no other person legally qualified to act as an officer of the Superior Court sitting in the county of Norfolk for the transaction of criminal business. The time and place prescribed by G.”
Inmates of the Suffolk Cnty. Jail v. Rufo, 844 F. Supp. 31 (D. Mass. 1994). “This willingness to leave the Sheriff to function as best he can within the constraints of the consent decree, without seriously examining the Commissioner’s obligations, the County’s obligations under Mass.Gen.Laws ch. 34 § 3 to provide a suitable jail, and the obligations of…”
Cnty. Commissioners v. State Superintendent of Bldgs., 383 Mass. 262 (1981). “G. L. c. 34, §§ 3, 14, as amended through St.”
Treasurer of Essex Cnty. v. Cnty. Commissioners of Essex, 387 N.E.2d 188 (Mass. App. Ct. 1979). “Nor was the Commonwealth or its architect a party to the *891 contract between the commissioners and PCM. 2. PCM’s contention that, aside from the express authority conferred by G.”
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