THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED TO CALCULATE THE FULL COST OF OPERATING THE BILLERICA HOUSE OF CORRECTIONS (BHC) UNDER COUNTY AUSPICES, ESTIMATE THE COST OF BHC IF IT WERE OPERATED BY THE STATE, AND DESCRIBE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSFER OF BHC FROM COUNTY TO STATE AUSPICES. DATA WERE COLLECTED FROM FORMAL BUDGET DOCUMENTS, STAFFING CHARTS, COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE, ESTIMATES BY BHC OFFICIALS, AND PERSONAL INTERVIEWS. THIS INFORMATION WAS THEN STANDARDIZED AND COMPILED TO DERIVE A FULL COST ESTIMATE FOR OPERATING BHC. THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF TRANSFERRING CONTROL OF BHC TO THE STATE OR MAINTAINING CONTROL OF BHC IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY ARE IDENTIFIED AND DISCUSSED TO AID IN MAKING A DECISION ABOUT THE INSTITUTION. APPENDIXES CONTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONSIDERED IN THE STUDY, INCLUDING STAFFING AND EQUIPMENT INVENTORIES....EB