In a major development addressing past grievances and aiming to prevent future abuses, the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) has sealed a settlement with plaintiffs in a class-action suit involving over 150 individuals connected to the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center (SBCC). The agreement, announced yesterday, concludes a chapter sparked by a violent clash back in early 2020 between prisoners and correctional staff. The settlement entails both a monetary compensation exceeding $6 million and the promise of policy reforms intended to enhance accountability within the state's correctional apparatus. Mass.gov reported on the details of the agreement, highlighting the DOC's proactive stance on policy changes post-incident.
Following an assault that injured four officers on January 10, 2020, SBCC was put on a secure lock-down, and tactical interventions were launched to reestablish order. Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy emphasized the resolution as indicative of the DOC's "steadfast commitment to promoting the safety and security of everyone who lives and works within our state correctional facilities," according to Mass.gov. The DOC, not waiting for legal negotiations to push forward, has already implemented a series of reforms affecting use of force and post-incident procedures.
Some of these reforms include an updated Use of Force policy with improved de-escalation training and revised protocols that require the Commissioner’s approval to activate the Special Operations Response Unit (SORU). DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins asserted these changes represent a "series of actions the Department of Correction has taken in response to the incident," including a newly established Body-Worn Camera policy to foster transparency.
On top of the financial aspect of the settlement, additional reforms stipulated include creating an anonymous tip-line for reporting staff misconduct, visibly marking SORU members for identification, and photographing injuries after uses of force, as detailed in the settlement actions acquired by Mass.gov. Officers found in breach of the body camera policy face progressive disciplinary action under the new agreement. All these initiatives are part of ongoing efforts by the Department to work with both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that these policies are not just implemented but become a sustainable part of the correctional system's fabric.
