# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 8: Prison books; contents; accessibility

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S8

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 8
- **Heading:** Prison books; contents; accessibility
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title XVIII / Chapter 127 / Section 8

## Text

Section 8. Each jailer and superintendent of a house of correction shall have a prison book, in which he shall keep an account of the value of the labor of the prisoners, of the salaries of officers and of articles furnished for the support of the prisoners, the quantity of such articles, of whom bought and the price paid, classified as follows: cost of provisions, including the portion consumed by the family of the jailer or superintendent; of clothing; of beds and bedding; of medicines; of medical attendance; of religious or secular instruction; of fuel; of light; allowance to discharged prisoners; allowance to witnesses in money or clothing. The prison book, verified by the oath of the jailer or superintendent, shall be exhibited to the county commissioners when his accounts are presented for examination, and at other times when demanded. A jailer or superintendent who neglects to keep such book or to enter therein such facts, or who wilfully makes any false entry therein, shall forfeit one hundred dollars, to be recovered by the county commissioners in the name of the county, or, in Suffolk county, by the penal institutions commissioner in the name of the city of Boston, and it shall be expended by them for the relief of discharged prisoners.

Section 8. Each jailer and superintendent of a house of correction shall have a prison book, in which he shall keep an account of the value of the labor of the prisoners, of the salaries of officers and of articles furnished for the support of the prisoners, the quantity of such articles, of whom bought and the price paid, classified as follows: cost of provisions, including the portion consumed by the family of the jailer or superintendent; of clothing; of beds and bedding; of medicines; of medical attendance; of religious or secular instruction; of fuel; of light; allowance to discharged prisoners; allowance to witnesses in money or clothing. The prison book, verified by the oath of the jailer or superintendent, shall be exhibited to the county commissioners when his accounts are presented for examination, and at other times when demanded. A jailer or superintendent who neglects to keep such book or to enter therein such facts, or who wilfully makes any false entry therein, shall forfeit one hundred dollars, to be recovered by the county commissioners in the name of the county, or, in Suffolk county, by the penal institutions commissioner in the name of the city of Boston, and it shall be expended by them for the relief of discharged prisoners.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 1 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 1A County correctional facilities; minimum standards; financial or other assistance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S1A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 1B Inspection of county correctional facilities; compliance with minimum standards; report; notice of violations; enforcement procedure](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S1B.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 2 Duty of superintendents to keep records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 3 Money and property of prisoners; records; custody and return; transmission to court; interest on deposits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 5 Calendar of prisoners; contents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 6 Service of process in penal or reformatory institutions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 7 Warrants, mittimuses and processes; contents; filing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S7.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 8 Prison books; contents; accessibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S8.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 9 Invoice books; contents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S9.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 10 Annual report to commissioner of correction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S10.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 12 Removal of unfaithful or incompetent officers or employees](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S12.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 13 Removal of incompetent jailers or keepers of houses of correction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S13.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 127, sec. 14 Removal of officers using intoxicating liquor to excess](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXVIII_C127_S8. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.