Doc Commissioner

Massachusetts leads the nation with historically low rates in incarceration and recidivism. The next DOC commissioner has a unique opportunity to shape the future of corrections in Massachusetts, advance the Department’s rehabilitative mission, and ensure the health and well-being of those working and living in DOC facilities.

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security is searching for a leader who shares our vision of providing safe and secure environments that balance accountability with the opportunity for transformation, restoration, and growth.

The selection of the Department’s future leader marks a pivotal moment for the DOC and a transformative opportunity to advance criminal justice reform, operational enhancements, rehabilitation, and recidivism. Additionally, the Commissioner will value the critical need to prepare people for reintegration to their communities and provide the necessary support to increase the likelihood of success.

The Department works closely with numerous strategic partners, including community service providers and educators, in a shared mission to address the complex needs of the more than 6,000 individuals in DOC’s care, facilitate lasting rehabilitation, and promote successful reentry for those preparing for life after incarceration.

The DOC has an annual operating budget of approximately $800 Million, oversees 14 state correctional facilities, with 4,086 sworn and civilian employees, and 6,000 incarcerated individuals.

Primary Responsibilities including but not limited to:
The Commissioner will manage and organize all the agency's operations and activities. This will entail creating administrative policies and treatment approaches that are appropriate for a secure custodial setting and adhere to best practices and recognized standards.

The Commissioner will ensure a safe and secure environment for all members of the DOC community and support environments that are healthy, safe and support transformative change.

Provides fiscal oversight that includes development, preparation and administration/management of the department’s budget that leads to operational efficiency of the agency.

Establish a strategic plan that conveys a vision of humanizing and normalizing correctional environments. Continue the agency’s goal in trying to create conditions within the facilities that mirrors life in the community, which is strengthened through strategy, vision, mission, and goals clearly communicated and re-enforced through budgets, policies, training and practices.

Provide strong leadership by fostering a collaborative and respectful culture and leveraging effective communication tools to promote agency development and progress.

Conduct Labor/Management activities with numerous collective bargaining units. Establish, monitor and enforce the terms of collective bargaining agreements.

Support and enhance educational, vocational, treatment and rehabilitative opportunities for the incarcerated population through implementation of evidence/research-based strategies proven to reduce recidivism.

Oversee a discipline system that is fair, objective and progressive for employees as well as the individuals within the DOC facilities and initiate or impose discipline as necessary. Determine the level of discipline to be imposed in response to substantiated acts of misconduct.

Foster a positive agency culture that includes vision alignment, clarified organization values, inclusiveness, healthy and supportive work environments, engagement of communities, and transparency.

Prioritize the expansion of reentry services to transcend across the threshold of confinement into the community. Develop innovative strategies that will improve likelihood of success, specifically addressing important social determinants such as housing, employment, accessing health and behavioral health care and supporting families of returning citizens.

Oversee, develop, and maintain a diverse workforce through robust recruitment and retention methods that reflect our diverse communities served by the Commonwealth.

Additionally, the Commissioner of Correction contributes to the agency's mission via adherence to the definition of the position as established under Massachusetts Statute. Specifically, Massachusetts General Laws — Chapter 124, Section 1 — (in part) defines the Commissioner's powers and duties as follows:
"(b) maintain security, safety and order at all state correctional facilities, utilize the resources of the department to prevent escapes from any such facility, take all necessary precautions to prevent the occurrence or spread of any disorder, riot or insurrection at any such facility, including but not limited to the development, planning, and coordination of emergency riot procedures with the colonel of the state police, and take suitable measures for the restoration of order:"

Proper execution of the role of Commissioner includes additional wide-ranging duties under Chapter 1