Local News

MCI-Concord, the oldest prison in Mass., officially closed Wednesday

MCI-Concord closed due to a low prison population, low recidivism rates, and the cost of maintenance.

An aerial view of MCI Concord prison in Concord opened in 1878 is oldest state prison for men in Massachusetts. David L Ryan/Globe Staff

By Eva Levin

July 17, 2024

1 minute to read

MCI-Concord, the oldest correctional facility in the Commonwealth, has formally ceased operations as of Wednesday, the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) announced.

The DOC cited a statewide low prison population, declining recidivism rates, and maintenance costs as the main reasons for the closure in a statement released Wednesday.

“The conclusion of housing operations at MCI-Concord reflects our commitment to re-imagining the future of corrections in Massachusetts by prioritizing operational efficiency and effectiveness while deepening investments in programming that promotes rehabilitation and recidivism reduction,” Governor Maura Healey said.

Healey’s budget for 2025 laid out a plan to close MCI-Concord, saying it would save the state nearly $16 million in operating costs and $190 million in maintenance costs.

The prison was over 150 years old, consisting of 18 separate buildings on 37 acres of land. State Senator Mike Barrett said the closure could bring new opportunities to the town of Concord.

“Courtesy of the Department of Correction, one of the oldest and most distinguished towns in America is closer to gaining the equivalent of a whole new neighborhood,” he said. “Kind of amazing, and a tribute to Massachusetts’ capacity to renew itself.”

The 300 prisoners housed in MCI-Concord were transferred to other facilities based on “security, service, and programming needs to best support individual rehabilitative goals,” DOC said in the statement.