103 CMR, § 505.06
It is the Department's philosophy to train staff to use only the amount of force necessary to: gain control of an inmate; to protect and ensure the safety of all inmates, staff and others; to prevent significant property damage; and, to ensure institution safety, security and good order. Force shall never be used as a form of punishment. Staff shall also be trained in methods of de-escalating a conflict whenever feasible, and instructed that force shall only be used as a last resort in resolving any conflict. By using de-escalation techniques the Department recognizes that safer alternatives to force are sometimes available, which shall prevent injuries to staff and inmates. Moreover, the Department recognizes that de-escalation does not compromise staffs' authority over inmates; rather, it allows staff to deal with the disruption on their terms.
103 CMR, § 505.06