By, Charles N. Diorio (For Full Media Exposure)
September 26, 2026
The Massachusetts Department of Correction is using regulations as a weapon against prisoner's sending First Class Mail to Courts, Attorney's, Press and Public. The regulation that governs inmate mail is 103 CMR 481.00 and allows "Free Postage" for indigent inmates. But, prison authorities are placing restrictions on "who" is "indigent".
For months I was considered "indigent". I had no funds in my Inmate Trust Account and received no funds for 60 days. For months I was sending 3 free letters each week and unlimited mail to Courts and "government" lawyers.
Suddenly, I was denied First Class Mail because the prison said my mail was "oversize/overweight".
Then, my mail was returned because it was sent to "private lawyers"; and more recently my legal mail was returned because I am no longer considered " indigent".
Apparently, money being held in a restricted "savings" fund, about $80.00 dollars, is suddenly eliminating my status as "indigent".
Prison authorities tell me I have "access" to these funds, although I need approval from the superintendent. That using my "$80.00 dollars" requires superintendent approval. Approval which apparently I have no access unless it is for payment of postage fee's.
I spoke with the superintendent of Souza-Baranowski Correction Center recently, Stacey Butkowski, and she was well aware of this indigent mail situation. She told me I am not indigent, and when pressed that funds in this "savings" account are restricted she said I have access to this money.
The word "access" is important because the language of the regulation states "funds an inmate has access to". (103 CMR 481.09) is an important element of the regulation. It is this word "access" that allows prison officials to deny indigent status. Almost every prisoner in Massachusetts has some money in this forced "savings" account.
Every prisoner who has any institutional job has half their pay taken and placed in this forced savings account. An account that requires superintendent approval to use. Approval that is rarely, if ever, given.
These savings accounts were established to force incarcerated people to save money for that day when they are released. But, for many prisoner's that day is long into the future.
Lately, prison authorities in Massachusetts have been reinterpreting regulations to suit their policies and customs. Now, indigent prisoners have restricted access to mail, courts and lawyers.
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