for over 50 years…
Since its founding in 1968, when its first volunteers helped to support people in a local prison infirmary, CPO has developed into the largest organization of its kind in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Concord Prison Outreach (CPO) is a 501(c)(3) organization composed of a coalition of individuals and faith communities committed to helping people who are incarcerated build better lives for themselves and their families.
Dedication & commitment
Concord Prison Outreach offers high-quality, transformative programs that focus on education, personal growth, and increased opportunity for incarcerated people and their families. Our programs and resources cover a wide range of subjects, and are utilized throughout multiple Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) sites within the Commonwealth.
Core Values driving impact
Join hundreds of individuals and nearly forty faith communities in our mission to offer high-quality, transformative programs focusing on education, personal growth, and support.
Community
A passionate community working collaboraboratively...Community
A vow to be a passionate community of volunteers, educators, students and staff working collaboratively to expand opportunity.
Integrity
A pledge to be authentic, trustworthy, and truthful...Integrity
A pledge to be authentic, trustworthy and truthful in our work and communications about CPO and those it serves.
Respect
Value and honor different points of view...Respect
A promise to value and honor different points of view and put forth the necessary effort to meet people where they are.
Social Justice
A commitment to promote equity and opportunity...Social Justice
A commitment to promote equity, access and opportunity to historically marginalized individuals and communities.
Transformation
The capacity for growth and life-altering personal change...Transformation
A belief that all have the capacity for personal growth and life-altering change.
Explore Our Programs
Offering high-quality, transformative programs that focus on education, personal growth and increased opportunity for incarcerated people and their families.
LATEST ARTICLES & NEWLETTERS
Spring Discussion Series – 21st Century America: The Re-Emergence of Hate Crimes
Concord Prison Outreach invites you to our Spring Community Discussion series entitled “21st Century America: The Re-Emergence of Hate Crimes.” Location: Trinitarian Congregational Church, 54 Walden Street, Concord, MA and via Zoom livestream. Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
The Use of Humanizing Language
In an open letter on the question of language, Eddie Ellis, founder of the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions, invites us to use humanizing language when referring to people with criminal records. In his words...
Making an Impact – Interview with Win Wilbur
An interview one of our longest standing and highly contributing volunteers, Win Wilbur.
“Naming the Unnamed” – MassArt Collaboration
CPO is thrilled to collaborate with Lisa Kennedy’s Massachusetts College of Art and Design class “Professional Illustration for the Community” to commemorate the lives of people buried at the Concord Reformatory Cemetery.
Making an Impact – Interview with Karen Baratta
In January 2022, Jenn Albanese interviewed Karen Baratta, Board Chair of CPO and longtime volunteer about her time volunteering with CPO.
