THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS 
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT 
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133 
(617) 727-3600 

BY HIS EXCELLENCY 

ARGEO PAUL CELLUCCI 
GOVERNOR 

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 399 

PROHIBITING PRISONERS FROM 
RAISING MONEY FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES
 
WHEREAS, inmates in the state prisons should not be allowed to use political 
action committees to raise money for political purposes; and 

WHEREAS, the state prisons are public buildings; and 

WHEREAS, the state campaign finance laws prohibit the solicitation of money or 
other things of value for political purposes in any public building; 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Argeo Paul Cellucci, Governor of the Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Supreme Executive 
Magistrate, do hereby order as follows: 

1. No political solicitation of money or other things of value is to occur within the 
state prisons. Such activity is in violation of the state campaign finance laws, G.L. 
c. 55, § 14, and will not be tolerated. 

2. The Department of Correction is directed to enforce an absolute prohibition on 
prisoners engaging in any form of solicitation of money or other things of value for 
political purposes. Enforcement measures shall include, but not be limited to: (i) 
immediate confiscation of any materials related to solicitation of money or other 
things of value for political purposes; (ii) imposition of sanctions through the 
disciplinary process, including isolation, restriction or loss of privileges, loss of 
good time, and reclassification; and (iii) referral to the appropriate law 
enforcement authorities for criminal prosecution. 

Given at the Executive Chamber in 
Boston this twelfth day of August in the 
year one thousand nine hundred and 
ninety-seven. 

Argeo Paul Cellucci
Acting Governor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

William Francis Galvin 
Secretary of the Commonwealth 

GOD SAVE THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS