Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 127, § 93

The keeper or superintendent of a jail or house of correction shall in his statement of his requirements submitted to the county commissioners under section twenty-eight of chapter thirty-five include a sum to cover the expenses of providing a copy of the version which he wishes of the Bible or of the New Testament for each prisoner in his charge who is able and wishes to read, which may be used by him at proper seasons during his confinement, and such keeper or superintendent may also include therein a sum to cover the expenses of providing books and papers for such prisoners. The county commissioners may include such amounts, and an amount to cover the expense of providing moral and religious instruction for prisoners in jails and houses of correction within their county, among the items requested to be appropriated for their respective counties.