For most local residents, the herd of cows grazing in the pasture overlooking the Concord rotary is a familiar sight. However, motorists on Route 2 may not be aware that this property is part of the Northeastern Correctional Center (NECC), which is a minimum-security and pre-release facility that houses about 200 male prisoners. While it is part of the Massachusetts prison system, it is separate from the recently-closed Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Concord, which is located on the other side of the rotary.
A primary function of the NECC is to prepare inmates for a productive life after they leave the prison system. At the Correctional Center they can develop practical skills in a number of fields, including farming, animal husbandry, and food preparation. The facility’s Fife and Drum restaurant is an important part of this educational program. The Fife and Drum is open to the public between 11:30 and 12:30, Tuesday through Friday. The cost of a meal, which includes soup, salad, an entree, and dessert, is $3.21.
The access road to the Northeastern Correctional Center is located on Barretts Mill Road, and my carpool-mate and I have driven this road frequently on our way to work. We have been aware of the prison’s restaurant for many years and often discussed having lunch there, but always found an excuse not to. Now retired, we decided on a recent Wednesday that the time had come to meet for lunch at the Fife and Drum. To prepare, we carefully studied the detailed dress code for prison visitors on the prison’s website. Restaurant customers must bring valid identification, but are cautioned not to bring wallets or any electronic device, including cell phones. Also, jeans cannot be worn.
Having never been inside a prison, my friend and I were somewhat hesitant to approach the entrance of Building #1 of the NECC. Sensing our concern, a gentleman behind us graciously offered to explain the check-in procedure and direct us to the dining room. He was wearing a roman collar, and introduced himself as the facility’s Roman Catholic chaplain.
Deacon Anthony subsequently invited us to join him for lunch. Since he has been the prison’s chaplain for many years, he has an extensive knowledge of its operation and the facility’s rehabilitation programs, and is familiar with the personal histories of many of its inmates. During the meal, we were introduced to a few of the restaurant’s cooks and our servers, who all spoke enthusiastically about their duties at the Fife and Drum and their desire to secure a job in the restaurant industry following release. The prison also participates in the National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS) program that trains dogs for the disabled, and following lunch we spoke with two of the program’s trainers and met their dogs. As a result of our fortuitous encounter with Deacon Anthony we learned far more about the Correctional Center than we had anticipated, and my friend and I both enjoyed a very good meal. On the evening of our visit, some of the people that we spoke with appeared in a pre-recorded WCVB Chronicle segment.
No article about a local eating establishment would be complete without a review of the food, the atmosphere, the service, and the price of the meal. As noted previously, the cost for lunch, including dessert, is $3.21. Credit cards are not accepted, and customers are advised to bring exact change. Tipping is not permitted. The service was fast and courteous. We were asked several times if we were enjoying our meal and if there was anything else that we needed. The dining area is quiet (no elevator music) and relatively small, although a group of 20 can be accommodated if arrangements are made in advance. While food that is served might not impress a gourmand, it was well-prepared and flavorful. There is usually a choice of two entrees (I had sliced pork with mashed potatoes and a vegetable). The dessert was Boston cream pie. The offerings change daily, so the restaurant’s website does not include a menu. Newcomers will likely receive a visit from Chef Instructor Eddie Jacobs, who has worked at the restaurant for twenty-eight years. Overall, it was a dining experience that I highly recommend, both for the quality of the meal and the contribution that the meal provides to the inmate rehabilitation program.
The Department of Correction Interim Commissioner, Shawn Jenkins, provided the following statement for this article. “The Fife and Drum has stood the test of time because it is a program that works. The Department of Correction continually works to prepare our housed individuals for release, and we do that through educational programming and addressing their service needs. The Fife and Drum gives them some confidence while interacting with the public, and you’ll see our patrons truly appreciate the service and experience.”
Dr. Parenti is a volunteer writer for the Acton Exchange, and a member of the Town of Acton Water Resource Committee and the Acton Water District Finance Committee.