Middleton, MA – An underground electrical explosion caused extensive damage to the 240 Building at the Middleton Jail and House of Correction this week, forcing the relocation of 179 inmates and partial closure of the facility, officials confirmed Thursday.
According to the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, the blast occurred within an underground conduit linking an external transformer to a breaker panel serving the 240 Building. The explosion cut power, triggering an evacuation of 407 inmates—about half the jail’s population. One minor injury was reported.
The damaged building remains offline with generator power supporting heat and critical systems. Officials say there is no timeline yet for full restoration, and the total cost of the damage has not been determined.
Inmates were transferred to correctional facilities in Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk, and Worcester counties, with visitation at Middleton expected to resume Monday, January 12. Educational programs are temporarily suspended, though attorneys can continue meeting clients on-site.
Sheriff’s personnel remain on duty to ensure the safety of inmates and staff. “We understand the disruption this has caused,” the Sheriff’s Office said, adding crews are “working around the clock” to restore full operations.
Further updates will be released as the investigation continues.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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