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SD 3908

Bristol County Modular Building Complete Inspection Package 5-12-26

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

The bill documents an inspection across Bristol County Modular Building showing 131 deficiencies, requires a Plan of Correction with timelines, and interim safety measures.

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Bill Summary · SD 3908

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
  • Session: 194th
  • Bill: SD 3908
  • Title: Bristol County Modular Building Complete Inspection Package 5-12-26
  • Subject: Reports and plans related to the Bristol County Modular Building (North Dartmouth) inspection, deficiencies, and corrective actions under the state correctional facility health and sanitation regulations.

Note: The text provided reads as an inspection report and plan of correction from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (EHRS) rather than a typical standalone bill text. The summary below interprets the document as the bill’s actionable content and regulatory framework it references.

Main purpose and intent

  • To document an official health and sanitation inspection of the Bristol County Modular Building (North Dartmouth) conducted under 105 CMR 451.000 (Minimum Health and Sanitation Standards and Inspection Procedures for Correctional Facilities).
  • To identify deficiencies (new and repeat) across required and recommended standards.
  • To outline the required Plan of Correction (POC) process, timelines, and oversight to address identified deficiencies.
  • To communicate findings to key agencies and facility leadership, and to ensure inmate and staff health and safety through corrective actions.

Key provisions and changes

  • Inspection Findings:
    • Total deficiencies identified: 131 (comprising new and repeat deficiencies across Required Standards and Recommended Standards).
    • Deficiencies are categorized by location (e.g., First Floor, West Housing Unit, East Housing Unit, Main Areas, Dorms) and by standard type:
    • Required Standards (.100 and .200 series): numerous new and repeat deficiencies related to sanitation, plumbing, electrical, and fixture maintenance.
    • Recommended Standards (.300 series): several new and repeat deficiencies focusing on interior maintenance, mold, wall/ceiling conditions, and cell size concerns.
    • Notable areas of concern include dirty bathrooms and fixtures, inadequate hot water, equipment in disrepair (refrigeration units), mold, damaged tiles and walls, paint deterioration, electrical outlet issues, and overcrowding implications.
  • Compliance Status:
    • EHRS identified 26 additional areas compliant during the inspection.
    • All areas were inspected; none were omitted.
  • Plan of Correction (POC) Requirements:
    • The facility must submit a Plan of Correction within 10 working days of receipt.
    • POC must include:
    • Specific corrective steps
    • Timelines for corrective actions, including larger projects
    • Target completion dates
    • Interim health and safety measures
    • Sign-off by the facility administrator
  • Population Context:
    • Inmate population at the time of inspection: 173 inmates.
  • Observations and Recommendations:
    • The report highlights regulatory references and directs adherence to 105 CMR 451.000 et seq., including related standards for medical records, waste management, and food safety.

Who is affected

  • Bristol County Jail and House of Correction (North Dartmouth): The primary facility assessed; responsible for implementing corrective actions.
  • Sheriff Paul Heroux and facility administration: Responsible for submitting the Plan of Correction and ensuring timely remediation.
  • Massachusetts Department of Public Health, EHRS: Conducts inspections, issues deficiency findings, and reviews POC submissions.
  • Inmates and staff: Indirectly affected by remedial actions and interim safety measures to address health, sanitation, and facility condition concerns.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Inspection Date: March 11, 2026.
  • Follow-up: POC due within 10 working days of receipt of the inspection report (Section 4, Plan of Correction).
  • POC Review: EHRS supplied a follow-up confirming that the POC addresses deficiencies, with noted concern regarding overcrowding (Letter dated April 17, 2026).
  • Population reference: Inmate population figure used to assess conditions (173 inmates reported during inspection).
  • Documentation: The package includes the inspection report, the Plan of Correction, and a letter acknowledging the POC, along with copies to multiple state and local officials.

Potential impact

  • Short term: Facility must implement immediate corrective steps for critical defects (e.g., plumbing and sanitation issues, mold, electrical hazards) to protect inmate and staff health.
  • Medium term: Facility undertakes larger capital or infrastructure repairs as part of the POC timetable, potentially affecting operations and housing arrangements.
  • Compliance trajectory: Repeated deficiencies indicate ongoing maintenance and upkeep needs; continued compliance reporting and follow-up inspections are likely.
  • Overcrowding note: EHRS expresses concern about overcrowding, signaling potential safety and health risks and possible administrative actions or policy considerations.

If you’d like, I can extract specific deficiency counts by location or standard, or translate the findings into a quick action checklist for facility staff.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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