Michaela Roberta Martin Strout v. Middlesex County Sheriff's Office (SPR 20243414)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records January 8, 2025 SPR24/3414 Malav Patel, Esq. Associate Legal Counsel Middlesex Sheriff’s Office 12 Gill Street, Suite 4700 Woburn, MA 01801 Dear Attorney Patel: I have received the petition of Michaela Roberta Martin Strout, Esq., of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, appealing the response of the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (Office) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On September 20, 2024, Attorney Strout requested the following records: [1] Any and all communications (including emails), policies, trainings, and other documents regarding how mail is determined to be suspicious pursuant to Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Policy and Procedure 481.12 (Photocopying of Incoming Privileged Mail). [2] Any and all communications (including emails), policies, trainings, and other documents regarding the determination that all privileged mail may be photocopies because “the safety of the facility is at risk, due to technology that allows paper to be infused with drugs, and the MSO cannot identify contaminated paper from non-contaminated paper.” See Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Policy and Procedure 481.12 (Photocopying of Incoming Privileged Mail). [3] Any and all communications (including emails), policies, trainings, and other documents indicating the approval by the Superintendent or designee to photocopy all privileged mail pursuant to Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Policy and Procedure 481.12 (Photocopying of Incoming Privileged Mail). [4] Any and all communications (including emails), policies, trainings, and other documents regarding what to do with the originals of privileged mail that has been copied pursuant to Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Policy and Procedure 481.12 (Photocopying of Incoming Privileged Mail). The Office responded on September 24, 2024. Unsatisfied with the Office’s response, Attorney Strout petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR24/3414, was opened as a result. One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Malav Patel, Esq. SPR24/3414 Page 2 January 8, 2025 It is my understanding that the Office intends on providing a further response to Attorney Strout. Accordingly, the Office is ordered to provide Attorney Strout with said response in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Regulations within ten business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of the response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Attorney Strout may appeal the substantive nature of the Office’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: Michaela Roberta Martin Strout, Esq.