Devens Federal Medical Center

Located in Ayer of Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Devens Federal Medical Center holds 1,092 inmates between their administrative security medical center and minimum security satellite camp. The FMC currently holds 969 male offenders. Meanwhile, the Camp holds 123 male inmates. When FMC Devens was first designed, it was planned to hold up to 1188 male prisoners, which recommended a maximum capacity of 1066 prisoners at the FMC and 122 at the FPC. The medical center is considered to provide level 4 care to prisoners. The facility houses and treats male prisoners of all custody levels. In addition, FMC Devens is 1 of the only 6 federal prisons that will house offenders who need long term help in a correctional environment, along with medical care. Although many inmates at the prison require specialized medical care, the FMC also houses offenders who just need to be placed in a low or minimum security environment. The satellite camp also houses low and medium security level offenders. Inmates of ages 21-96 are typically found in the facility and the average stay length is 120 months at the FMC and 80 months at the FPC.

FMC Devens is located on land that was formerly known as Fort Devens military base. Once Fort Devens closed down, Devens Federal Medical Center was able to open later on in 1998. The prison consists of 21 different buildings, including the housing units of the facility. For housing units, there are 8 multiple occupancy cells housing units, 6 dormitory housing units, and 2 single housing units. In the Special Housing Unit, there are 72 cells. The psychiatric care housing unit has 30 cells. The Camp also has a housing unit.

The Camp provides work to prisoners that are stable enough to work. Work can vary, but working inmates often help with the maintenance of the FMC. The Camp is not as large as the FMC, but it does include a housing unit, visiting room, education and food services, a laundry room, a gymnasium, a craft/hobby area, and a religious services area. The Camp has incorporated an inmate driver program into its system, which has inmates hauling trash from the institution to the nearby landfill. This program has had a positive impact on FMC Devens by saving the facility about $28,000 - $30,000 per year. Both the medical center and camp provide services to the prisoners. Offenders are exposed to numerous support services such as employee development, financial management, psychology services, education, food services, and more.

One of the most notable inmates who has served at Devens Federal Medical Center was known for his involvement with the Boston Marathon Bombings in 2013. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, from Kyrgyzstan, was committed of the bombings that occurred at 2013 Boston Marathon, along with his brother, Tamerlan Tsarnaev. The bombings resulted in the death of 3 people, along with injuries among 200 civilians. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was first sentenced to FMC Devens, until he was transferred to ADX Florence and was sentenced to death.

Visiting Hours at Devens Federal Medical Center:

Devens Federal Medical Center has both a camp and a medical facility. Visitors should be aware of both the rules and hours of the section of FMC Devens they plan to visit.

The FMC conducts visits on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. On each of these days visiting hours will be from 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.
The Camp also conducts visits on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. However, the hours are slightly different. On Saturdays, Sundays. and federal holidays, visiting hours are from 8:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Friday visits can be scheduled between 2:30 P.M. and 8:30 P.M.
The FMC follows a visiting schedule that allows prisoners 12 visiting points per month. Each weekend and holiday visit will deduct 2 points from the inmate's total points. Weekday visits deduct 1 point.
The FPC does not use a point system.
Inmates are usually permitted 5 visitors at once, including children. If visitors wish to enter the visiting room with a group larger than 5 people, they must first get their visit approved by the Unit Manager of the inmate they have chosen to visit.
All visitors under the age of 16 cannot enter the visiting room without an adult.
Visits will be terminated if the visiting area begins to crowd. The facility follows a first in, first out basis when terminating visits.
Holdover inmates are typically not permitted visitors. If looking to visit an offender in holdover, the visitor should contact the Warden first to see if an exception can be made to open a visit.
Visits to an inmate who is part of the Special Housing Unit will occur in a specific area that is in front of the Visiting Room Officer's desk. These visits will be under supervision at all times.
Non-contact visits will occur in a separate room rather than the main visiting room. The Warden determines if a visit needs to be non-contact.
Random visitor pat down searches will occur prior to entering the visiting room. All visitors will go through a walk through metal detector and items not going through the metal detector will be placed in an x-ray machine.
The prison only authorizes life supporting medications, change, and items for an infant in the visiting room. These items include: 5 diapers, 1 sealed formula mix, 1 sealed plastic jar of baby food, 1 empty plastic baby bottle, 1 plastic spoon. These items must be carried in a clear plastic bag or tote at all times.

Physical Address:

Devens Federal Medical Center
42 Patton Road
Ayer, Massachusetts 01432

Telephone:

(978)-796-1000

Inmate Mailing Address:

For inmates at the Medical Center:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Devens Federal Medical Center
P.O. Box 879
Ayer, Massachusetts 01432

For inmates at the Camp:

Inmate Name, ID Number
Devens Federal Medical Center Satellite Camp
P.O. Box 879
Ayer, Massachusetts 01432