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December 05, 2025 Clear | 16°F
The 194th General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  1. General Laws
  2. Part I ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
  3. Title XVIII PRISONS, IMPRISONMENT, PAROLES AND PARDONS
  4. Chapter 127 OFFICERS AND INMATES OF PENAL AND REFORMATORY INSTITUTIONS. PAROLES AND PARDONS
  5. Section 171 Commissary items in state correctional facilities, state prisons, county correctional facilities and entities contracting with such facilities

Section 171

Section 171: Commissary items in state correctional facilities, state prisons, county correctional facilities and entities contracting with such facilities

  Section 171. (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms "county correctional facility'', "state correctional facility'' and "state prison'' shall have the same meanings as those terms are defined in section 1 of chapter 125.

[ Subsection (b) added by 2023, 28, Sec. 51 and as amended by 2024, 140, Sec. 134 effective July 1, 2024 until October 31, 2024. See 2023, 28, Sec. 112 and 2024, 140, Sec. 264. For text effective October 31, 2024, see below.]

  (b) The department of correction and county sheriffs shall maximize discounts procured from bulk purchasing of commissary items or other contracting opportunities that reduce the cost of such items and shall not receive commissions, revenue or other financial incentives in any contract with a seller, supplier or vendor of commissary items. Commissary items offered shall include gender affirming items, consistent with section 32A, and culturally appropriate items for all communities in custody.

[ Subsection (b) as amended by 2024, 140, Sec. 135 effective October 31, 2024. See 2024, 140, Sec. 249. For text effective until October 31, 2024, see above.]

  (b) The department of correction, state correctional facilities, state prisons, county correctional facilities and entities, sellers, suppliers or vendors contracting with such facilities shall charge an amount not to exceed 95 per cent of the market price for commissary items at non-correctional major retail stores in the commonwealth. The department of correction and county sheriffs shall maximize discounts procured from bulk purchasing of commissary items or other contracting opportunities that reduce the cost of such items and shall not receive commissions, revenue or other financial incentives in any contract with a seller, supplier or vendor of commissary items. Commissary items offered shall include gender affirming items, consistent with section 32A, and culturally appropriate items for all communities in custody.