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The Suffolk County Jail on Nashua Street opened in 1990 and is the replacement facility for the historic Charles Street Jail, which operated from 1851 until 1991. The Jail houses approximately 700 pretrial detainees in 13 different housing units.

Transportation, booking and property also maintain effective operations at the facility with the constant movement of inmates and detainees throughout the county and Commonwealth for court and facility transfers. Annually, the kitchen staff serves more than 700,000 meals to detainees. The staff also takes time to prepare separate meals for days honoring different ethnic, religious, and cultural holidays.

The Jail continues to use the latest in correctional technology to maintain safe and secure housing units for pretrial detainees. Along with the House of Correction, the Jail is fully compliant with all health and safety codes including the Americans with Disabilities Act. The command staff, along with all Jail employees, continue to maintain a modern facility for the care and custody of detainees.

Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department
Jail at Nashua Street
200 Nashua Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 635-1100

Fast Facts

  • There are 13 individual housing units.
  • The entire facility is maximum security.
  • The Jail’s modern kitchen serves over 2,000 meals per day.
  • Both facilities are audited multiple times per year by the DOC, NCCHC, ICE and DPH.
  • The building was built on 2.1 acres of land, and totals 249,540 sq. ft.
  • Groundbreaking for the facility was held in September of 1987.
  • In 1990, the Suffolk County Jail at Nashua Street became operational.
  • The Jail has 453 cells, containing 654 beds.
  • Suffolk County Jail is a replacement for the Charles Street Jail, which was in operation since 1851.
  • The Charles Street Jail was ordered to close in a 1973 federal court decision.
  • The total cost of the facility was $54 million.

Directions

Directions to the Suffolk County Jail

Phone: 617.635.1100

For MapQuest driving directions, click here.

Due to limited parking, it is advised that you use public transportation while visiting the Jail.

By Train

Green Line

  1. Take the Green Line (Lechmere Train) towards Lechmere. (The Jail is located at the Museum of Science stop off the Green Line.);
  2. After departing the train, go to the right of the station and the Jail is located across the street at 200 Nashua Street.

| Greeen Line MBTA map |

 

By Car

From the North

  1. Take I-93 South;
  2. Take the RT-28 N/ LEVERETT CIRCLE exit (number 26A) toward CAMBRIDGE;
  3. Keep RIGHT at the fork in the ramp;
  4. Turn RIGHT onto NASHUA ST.

From the South

  1. Merge onto 93 North toward BOSTON;
  2. Take the Storrow Drive exit #26;
  3. Stay in the lane you are in;
  4. Once outside the tunnel, follow signs to North Station;
  5. At the end of the ramp, take a right.
  6. The Jail will be on your right.

From the West

  1. Merge on I-90 East;
  2. Take I-90 East to 93 North;
  3. Merge onto 93 North toward BOSTON;
  4. Take the Storrow Drive exit;
  5. Once outside the tunnel, follow signs to North Station;
  6. At the end of the ramp, take a right.
  7. The Jail will be on your right.

Visiting Hours

Visiting Hours at the Suffolk County Jail on Nashua Street

Visiting hours at the Suffolk County Jail are held 7 days per week at the following times:

8am – 10:30am 1pm – 2:45 pm 3:30pm – 5pm 7pm – 8:45pm

Each inmate is allowed up to three visits per week. The visiting week begins on Monday and ends on Sunday. All visitors must be 18 years of age or be accompanied by an adult. All visitors must present a current and valid state-issued photo ID, driver’s license or passport. All visitors must wear appropriate clothing.

Anyone under the age of 18 will not be permitted to visit unless accompanied by a parent with the child’s birth certificate (original birth certificate – no photocopies). Only two children per visit and no children will be permitted to visit on Saturdays.

It is best to arrive thirty minutes to one hour prior to the start of the visiting period.

For more information, contact (617) 635-1100 x3001.

Visiting Policies

Suffolk County Jail Visiting Policies

The following is provided as general information and does not detail all established visiting rules. If you have any questions about any of these policies, please call (617) 635.1100 x3001.

Any attempt to provide drugs, controlled substances, or unauthorized articles to an inmate is a felony punishable by imprisonment of a maximum of five years.

THESE RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Visiting Hours

Daily (Monday – Sunday)
8:00am – 10:30am 1:00pm – 2:45pm 3:30pm – 5:00pm 7:00pm – 8:45pm
Please note: It is best to arrive ½ hour to an hour prior to start of visit. All visitors must have a valid state ID, license,or passport. There is a limit of three visits a week; one per day; one person per visit. Visits may last up to one hour.

Visitors shall listen to and follow all orders of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department personnel. Failure to comply with their directions will result in the termination of your visit.

Children

Children are permitted to visit on any day of the week, however no children will be allowed after 6 p.m. Anyone under the age of 18 will not be permitted to visit unless accompanied by their parent with a birth certificate (original birth certificate, no photo-copies). Only two children per visit.

Visitors are expected to closely supervise their children while on the premises. Children should not be left unattended at any time. A visit shall be terminated if a child is ill, is disruptive, unruly, or disturbing other visitors.

Money

Daily (Monday – Sunday)
8:00am – 2:15pm 3:00pm – 9:00pm
Please note: No personal checks or cash will be accepted. Money orders & bank checks may be dropped off daily. Canteen money may be picked up any day and will be returned in check form only to the detainee.

Property

Court clothes only

Daily (Monday – Sunday)
7:00am – 2:15pm 3:00pm – 9:00pm
Please note: We no longer accept socks, underwear, t-shirts, bras or sneakers. These items may be purchased from the canteen. You may drop off court clothes on the calendar day before the court date. No boots, heels, sneakers, sweats, hooded shirts, fatigues or any clothing with excessive pockets and writing or pictures.

Please note: When dropping off court clothes for someone going to Suffolk Superior Court, do not drop off until after 4:30pm. You are responsible for the contents within the property.

Property Pickup

Monday – Friday only
9am – 11:30am 7pm – 10pm
Please note: No pick up on the weekends or holidays and a photo ID is required for all transactions. If you have any questions regarding property, please call (617) 635-1100 x3035.

A visitor may pick up a current detainee’s property after a detainee completes a property release form and signs it in the presence of a caseworker. It must then be submitted to the front desk for pick up. If picking up property for a detainee no longer in our custody, you will need a signed notarized letter from that person if a release form was not completed while the detainee was here. Property is held for only 30 days after a detainee’s release from this facility.

Visitor Dress Code

  • Clothing must be worn in the manner in which it was intended at all times. Infants, toddlers and children must be appropriately dressed. Any clothing with printed words or pictures that are or which could be construed to be offensive to detainees, staff and/or visitors are prohibited.
  • Clothing must be worn on the upper body at all times; bare tops, bare shoulders, halter tops, tank tops, tube tops, cropped tops, body t-shirts, see-through tops, half shirts, bathing or swimming-like tops are all prohibited.
  • Dresses, skirts must have hem lines that extend 6” below the knee.
  • No shorts, baggy pants, pants with excessive pockets, army fatigues, sweats, sweatsuits or uniforms.
  • Outer garments including coats, jackets, sweaters, rainwear, ponchos, hooded sweatshirts and over-shirts are prohibited.
  • Hats, caps, kerchiefs, scarves, bandannas, rollers, curlers, barrettes, scrunchies, rubber/elastic or any type of headband, clips, pins, similar decorations and belts are prohibited.
  • Wedding band, medical alert bracelet, handkerchief and locker key are the only items authorized to be brought into a visit area. No jewelry or forms of currency (coin or paper) are allowed.
  • Shower-style shoes and bare feet are prohibited.

Bail Commissioners

The bail commissioner is available at the Suffolk County Jail after 5pm, Monday through Friday, and is on-call during the weekends.

Parking

There is no parking available at the Jail.