PRISON

These photos were taken at the Billerica House of Correction in Billerica, Mass. in 1976. Billerica is a minimum security prison. The population at that time was young, averaging nineteen, and most were serving short sentences, from six months to 2 or 3 years. Inmates were allowed to wear their own clothes, and were outside their cells for most of the day. There were a handful of jobs available for those willing to work for low pay; there was a garage for repairing cars, and a shop for making mattresses that employed six inmates. Most of the population enjoyed unstructured leisure time, and were free to play cards, pool, or watch TV. Boredom was pervasive.