MCI Cedar Junction
Find messaging, video, and phone options for MCI Cedar Junction. Compare providers and discover what communication services are available. Free, no account required.
- Facility Type
- State Facility
- Security Level
- Maximum
- Inmate Capacity
- 600 approx.
- Established
- 1956
- Operated By
- Massachusetts Department of Correction (MADOC)
MCI Cedar Junction Inmate Communication Overview
Massachusetts Correctional Institution Cedar Junction, often referred to by its former name Walpole, is the only Level VI maximum-security state prison in Massachusetts, operated by the Massachusetts Department of Correction and located in the town of Walpole in Norfolk County, about 25 miles southwest of Boston. The facility was established in 1956 and houses the state's most serious offenders, including those serving life sentences and individuals requiring close management due to their criminal history or institutional behavior. Level VI is the highest security designation in the Massachusetts prison system.
Communication at MCI Cedar Junction operates through Massachusetts DOC provider contracts. JPay handles electronic messaging, photo sharing, and money transfers. Families create a JPay account and link the inmate using their Massachusetts DOC number to begin correspondence. Securus Technologies manages phone calls and video visitation under the Massachusetts DOC contract. Setting up a Securus prepaid account linked to your phone number allows you to receive inmate-initiated calls. Video visits through Securus are available and can be a useful option for families who live outside the Greater Boston area.
Because MCI Cedar Junction is Massachusetts' only maximum-security facility, it receives the state's highest-risk inmates from across Massachusetts, meaning many families may be traveling from distant parts of the state or from other states altogether. The facility's location about 25 miles from Boston in Walpole makes it more accessible than some other maximum-security institutions in New England, and there is reasonable transit connectivity from the MBTA system for local families. Maximum-security status means some inmates will have restricted communication access depending on their housing unit or disciplinary status, so confirming current access with the facility is advisable before setting up accounts.
Facility Information
Contact details and location information for this correctional facility.
Address
1 Administration Road, Walpole, MA 02032
Main Phone
(508) 850-6001
Administrative line — not for inmate calls
Official Website
Visit official siteVisit and Contact Details
Inmate search, mail, visiting hours, costs, commissary, and bail information for this facility.
Inmate Search
Search inmates on the official roster
Check the spelling of the name carefully, and allow 24 to 72 hours for new arrivals to appear in the roster.
Visiting Hours
Visits are by appointment and only for approved visitors. Maximum-security inmates receive three visiting periods per week, including at least one weekday evening period and one weekend period, under 103 CMR 483. Arrive 30 minutes before a scheduled visit for processing.
Costs
Phone calls, video calls, and email are free for the person in custody and for the person receiving the call under the Massachusetts no-cost calls law in effect since December 1, 2023. There is no cap on the number of calls. Tablets and media services are not covered.
Communication Options
Available communication services at MCI Cedar Junction.
Messaging
Electronic messages to and from the inmate.
Provider: JPay
Available. Maximum-security status may result in restricted access for some housing units.
Video Calls
Remote or in-person video visitation.
Provider: Securus
Available for eligible inmates. Confirm eligibility based on housing assignment.
Photo Sharing
Send approved digital or physical photos.
Provider: JPay
Digital photos via JPay, subject to Massachusetts DOC content guidelines.
Phone Calls
Inmate-initiated phone calls to approved numbers.
Provider: Securus
Inmate-initiated calls. Fund Securus prepaid account to receive calls.
Money Transfer
Send funds to commissary or phone accounts.
Provider: JPay
Trust account deposits via JPay for commissary purchases.
Communication Providers at MCI Cedar Junction
These providers operate communication services at this facility. Each may cover different services.
JPay
Messaging, photos, and trust account deposits. Requires Massachusetts DOC number.
View JPay ServicesSecurus
Phone calls and video visitation under the Massachusetts DOC contract.
View Securus ServicesCommunication Rules at MCI Cedar Junction
- Level VI maximum security means some inmates have restricted communication access based on housing or disciplinary status.
- JPay and Securus are separate platforms. Messaging stamps and phone funds are not interchangeable.
- Messages are reviewed by Massachusetts DOC staff before delivery.
- In-person visits require prior approval through the Massachusetts DOC visitor application process.
- Senders must be on the inmate's approved contact list.
Related Facilities
Other correctional facilities with communication guides.
Frequently Asked Questions: MCI Cedar Junction
Common questions from families about communication at this facility.
- How do I send a message to someone at MCI Cedar Junction?
- Create a JPay account at jpay.com and add the inmate using their Massachusetts DOC number. Purchase stamps and compose your message. DOC staff review messages before delivery, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
- How do I set up phone calls from MCI Cedar Junction?
- Phone calls use Securus. Create a Securus account at securustech.net or through the Securus app. Set up a prepaid account linked to your phone number and add funds. The inmate will call you from facility phones on scheduled call days.
- Is video visitation available at MCI Cedar Junction?
- Yes, through Securus, though availability depends on the inmate's current housing assignment and eligibility. Log into your Securus account, search for MCI Cedar Junction, and schedule an available slot well in advance.
- Is MCI Cedar Junction accessible from Boston?
- Yes. Walpole is about 25 miles southwest of Boston, reachable by car or commuter rail on the MBTA Providence/Stoughton line (Walpole station). This makes it more accessible for Greater Boston families than most other New England state prisons.
- How do I send money to a MCI Cedar Junction inmate?
- Trust account deposits are made through JPay. Log in, go to Send Money, and select MCI Cedar Junction. Add funds via debit or credit card. Processing typically takes one to two business days.
- Are phone calls from MCI Cedar Junction really free?
- Yes. Under Massachusetts law, voice calls, video calls, and email are free for the incarcerated person and the person receiving the call, with no cap on the number of calls, since December 1, 2023. You do not need to fund a phone account or pay anyone for call time. Tablets and media purchases are not covered by the free-call law.
- How do I send money to someone at MCI Cedar Junction?
- MA DOC uses Access Corrections Secure Deposits for trust account deposits. Deposit online, by phone, at a facility kiosk, or by mailing a money order to the Access Corrections lockbox. Include the inmate full name and ID number, and allow about 48 hours for mailed lockbox deposits to post.
- How do I get approved to visit MCI Cedar Junction?
- Submit a MA DOC visitor application and wait for approval before scheduling. Visits are by appointment for approved visitors only. Arrive 30 minutes early for processing, bring a valid photo ID, and follow the facility dress code.
- Is MCI Cedar Junction a reception center?
- Yes. MCI Cedar Junction serves as the reception center for men newly sentenced to MA DOC custody. New arrivals go through classification there before transfer to a permanent facility. Expect delays in messaging, phone, and visiting setup during intake, and confirm the current location before funding any account.
Troubleshooting at MCI Cedar Junction
Fix the most common problems families hit with calls, video visits, money, and messaging.
- Why am I not receiving calls from an inmate?
- Inmates can only call out, so you cannot call an inmate directly. If expected calls are not coming through, check your phone's spam or silence-unknown-callers setting, since carriers often block jail numbers. Save the facility's number as a contact, confirm your number is on the inmate's approved list, and check whether your carrier blocks collect or prepaid calls. If several expected calls fail, contact the facility's phone provider support. For Securus, support can be reached at 972-734-1111 after repeated failed calls.
- Why is my inmate not showing up in search?
- New arrivals can take 24 to 72 hours to appear in search results, and people in transfer may temporarily disappear from listings. Try alternate spellings and name variations, and make sure you are searching the right system: the federal BOP locator only covers federal inmates, while county and state searches are separate. Some records are withheld for protective custody or sealed cases. If it has been more than a few days, call the facility's records office.
- I sent money but it is not showing in the inmate's account. What should I do?
- Allow processing time first. Electronic deposits can take hours and money orders can take much longer. Check your receipt and confirm the inmate's name and ID matched. Do not send a second payment until the first one is traced, since duplicate payments are hard to reverse. Contact the money-transfer provider's support with your receipt or confirmation number. If the inmate was recently transferred, funds may follow after a delay.
- Why was my video visit cancelled or cut off?
- Most cancellations come from connection problems or conduct-rule violations. Stay in frame, keep your ID ready, follow the dress code, keep other people off camera, and avoid profanity. Visits can also be cancelled for facility lockdowns or schedule changes. For refunds, contact the video provider's support with your visit details.
- What should I do if the facility changed its communications provider?
- Create an account with the new provider, since old accounts and balances do not transfer automatically. Ask the old provider whether refunds are available for unused balances. Confirm the new provider's phone, video, and messaging setup before your next visit or call.
- Why is my JPay account blocked?
- A blocked account usually means the inmate blocked contact, the account details do not match, or JPay flagged the account for review. Confirm the inmate's ID and facility, check for an 'inmate blocked' message, and contact JPay support if the block looks like an error. See our guide: JPay account locked
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