Massachusetts Dept. of Corrections $6.75M Settlement

Individuals incarcerated at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center who experienced use of force by correctional staff may qualify to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.

The Massachusetts Department of Correction agreed to pay $6.75 million to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging unconstitutional use of force and racial discrimination against incarcerated individuals at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center between Jan. 10, 2020, and Feb. 6, 2020. The settlement also requires the department implement policy changes to address excessive force and racial discrimination.

Who can file a Massachusetts Department of Correction claim?

Class members must have been incarcerated at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center between Jan. 10, 2020, and Feb. 6, 2020, and subjected to at least one use of force by corrections staff during that time.

Individuals forced to kneel in the main corridor on Jan. 10, 2020, are also considered class members.

The class is divided into the following groups:

• General class members: Anyone at SBCC subjected to use of force during the class period.
• Equal protection subclass: Black and Latinx individuals at SBCC subjected to a use of force during the same period.

How much is the use-of-force payout?

The amount each class member can receive depends on the type of force experienced and the number of valid claims submitted:

• Kneeling-only cohort: Class members forced to kneel on Jan. 10, 2020, who were not subjected to any other use of force will receive $10,000.
• Equal protection subclass: Black and Latinx class members subjected to force will receive an additional $10,000.
• General payment: All other class members will receive an equal share of the remaining funds (expected to be at least $30,000) after the above payments are made. Those who qualify for both the kneeling-only and general payment will only receive the general payment.

How to claim a Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center class action rebate

Class members can download, print and complete the PDF claim form to mail to the settlement administrator. There is no online claim form. The claim deadline is Sept. 4, 2025.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: SBCC Settlement, c/o Analytics Consulting LLC, PO Box 2006, Chanhassen, MN 55317-2006

Proof and documentation required

Class members must provide:

• Their department of corrections ID
• Their Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number
• A sworn statement explaining why they believe they are a class member. Supporting documentation is encouraged but not strictly required if unavailable. Include as much detail as possible about the incident(s), such as:
• Dates, times and locations of the use of force
• Types of force used and any weapons involved
• Names or descriptions of officers (if known)
• Injuries sustained and any medical attention received
• Whether they reported the incident, and if so, to whom and when

Class members claiming as a personal representative or guardian for a deceased or incapacitated class member must provide legal documentation of their appointment and a completed W-9 form.

Payout options

Payments will be made via paper check mailed to the address provided on the claim form. Those who are incarcerated can have the check sent to their prison address or to someone outside the prison.

$6.75 million corrections settlement fund breakdown

The $6,750,000 settlement fund covers:

• Attorneys' fees and costs and settlement administration costs: $1,000,000
• Incentive payments to class representatives: $25,000 each ($225,000 total)
• Payments to eligible class members: The remainder of the fund

Important dates

• Opt-out deadline: Sept. 4, 2025
• Claim deadline: Sept. 4, 2025
• Final approval hearing: Oct. 24, 2025

When is the SBCC settlement payout date?

Payments will be sent after the court grants final approval of the settlement.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit was brought after an incident at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center on Jan. 10, 2020, when several correction officers were injured during an altercation in Unit N1. The lawsuit claimed that, in response, corrections staff used excessive and unconstitutional force against prisoners over the following weeks. The alleged actions included forced kneeling, beatings and use of Tasers, pepper-ball launchers, impact projectiles and K9s. The suit also claimed Black and Latinx prisoners were subjected to especially harsh mistreatment, including racial slurs and physical abuse.

The DOC denies all allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the risks and costs of continued litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Settlement agreement
3. PDF claim form