South Middlesex Correctional Center

The Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center (SBCC) is a supermax prison in Lancaster, Massachusetts. It officially opened on September 30, 1998, and was named in honor of two individuals who tragically lost their lives in 1972. James Souza, a corrections officer, and Alfred Baranowski, an instructor, were killed by an inmate whose wife smuggled firearms into the Norfolk Prison Colony.

Designed to house the state’s most high-risk inmates, SBCC is the only post-conviction maximum-security prison in Massachusetts. Its operational capacity is set at 1,410 inmates, though as of January 2020, the facility housed just 672 inmates. This discrepancy reflects its stringent security protocols and unique role within the state’s correctional system.

The prison has seen its share of turmoil over the years. One of the most infamous incidents occurred on January 9, 2017, when a riot broke out involving 46 inmates. This disruption reportedly began after showers were denied following exercise time. The riot caused significant damage to the facility and required a major response from law enforcement.

Another notable event occurred in January 2020 when a correctional officer was brutally attacked in SBCC’s N1 unit. The attack left the officer severely injured and prompted the transfer of several inmates to other facilities. This incident became the focus of investigations and allegations of excessive staff retaliation, raising concerns about the prison’s internal controls and accountability.

Despite these challenges, SBCC remains a pivotal institution in Massachusetts’ correctional landscape, managing some of the state’s most dangerous offenders under maximum-security conditions. Its location near medium-security facilities, like MCI-Shirley, further highlights its specialized function within the state system.

For further information about the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, including inmate records search and visitation details, individuals can refer to the official website of the Massachusetts Department of Correction or utilize online inmate search platforms specific to the state of Massachusetts.