Bristol County Jail & House of Corrections

You can support your loved ones at Bristol County Jail & HOC on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 508-995-6400.

When someone you care about gets locked up, it's tough to figure out all the ins and outs of jail life. From sending mail to visiting, there are a lot of things to sort out. And getting info about the arrest? Not always easy. That's where this webpage comes in handy. It's here to help you get a handle on how things work here so that you can stay connected and support your loved one behind bars.

The Bristol County Jail & HOC is a detention center located at 400 Faunce Corner Rd N Dartmouth, MA which is operated locally by the Bristol County Sheriff's Office and holds inmates awaiting trial or sentencing or both. Most of the sentenced inmates are here for less than two years. Bristol County accepts inmates from surrounding towns, N Dartmouth Police Department, and the US Marshal's Service.

New detainees arrive at the jail regularly, with some being released on bail, placed under pretrial services caseloads, supervised by probation agencies, or released on recognizance with a court appearance agreement. Those who are not released await their court appearances at the jail, receiving accommodations including bedding and meals.

You can see all the arrest records for Massachusetts here.

The Bristol County Sheriff's Office operates an 1100-bed facility accommodating male inmates sentenced to 2 ½ years or less, higher security female inmates or pre-trial detainees, and higher security male pre-trial detainees. The facility includes decentralized housing units with varying security levels, a medical unit, and a 400-bed Modular Unit for sentenced inmates who have progressed through an accountability-based classification system to access programs such as the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Unit, the Pre-Release Program, and Work Crews.

Individuals who do not post bail within the first twenty-four hours are required to appear before a judge. During this first appearance, conducted either in person or via telephone, the judge informs the arrested person of the charges against them and sets the bond amount.

Following the intake process, which includes property inventory, medical screening, and booking, inmates are assigned to the general population. Housing assignments are based on the classification of their charges, whether felony or misdemeanor, to ensure proper management and safety within the facility.

After processing, inmates are assigned to a housing area based on classification. Compliance with jail rules typically results in a lower classification and more privileges, while rule violations or additional charges lead to a higher classification and fewer privileges. Inmates serving as trustees within the jail undertake various tasks, including cooking, laundry, and commissary management, often receiving minimal compensation or sentence reduction for their services.

The jail offers a phone program for outbound calls only, with inmates unable to receive incoming calls. Accepting collect calls can be expensive, sometimes exceeding $10 per call. Alternatively, setting up an account through a third-party phone company may entail high fees per minute of usage. Click here for discounts on inmate calls, especially if the communication with your inmate is frequent. It's important to remember that all phone calls are recorded, and discussing sensitive legal matters over these lines is discouraged.

Books and magazines ordered for inmates must come directly from the publisher. This policy ensures that the items are new, untampered, and comply with the facility's regulations. The Jail enforces this rule to prevent the introduction of contraband or prohibited materials. By restricting orders to publishers, the facility can better maintain security and control over the content entering the institution. Any books or magazines not received directly from the publisher will be rejected and not delivered to the inmate. You may, however, send letters and selfies to inmates with this easy-to-use app, packages starting at only $8.00.

Inmate workers are chosen based on conduct and cooperation with staff. Participation in the community service program can sometimes reduce sentences. Commissary is available weekly, with orders submitted via kiosk two days in advance. On holidays, there may be increased spending limits. Upon receiving commissary items, inmates must present their ID, check their order, and sign for it in the presence of the commissary employee. Indigent inmates are provided with all essential basic hygiene items including USPS stamps and writing materials.

Committed to comprehensive programs and services, the Bristol County Sheriff's Office encourages inmate participation in educational, work, or self-improvement programs. These include substance abuse treatment programs lasting 3-6 months, as well as a range of educational and vocational classes aimed at rehabilitation and education before release.

Delivered by treatment professionals from AdCare, the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) program and Therapeutic Community offer a curriculum focused on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and self-change strategies. Inmates learn to understand the connections between thinking, behavior, and consequences, practicing techniques to promote pro-social thought processes. Through journaling and completing assignments, participants document personal thinking processes, behaviors, and motivations, with treatment staff periodically reviewing progress.