State Prison Consolidation Plan Won’t Affect Cheshire Correctional Facility

November 19, 2009 by Josh Morgan

The acting commissioner of the state Department of Correction has assured the Town that a recent exploration to consolidate prisons would not add more inmates to Cheshire Correctional Institution.
Brian Murphy, acting commissioner of the DOC, called Town Manager Michael Milone last week to reassure him that a recent study of prison populations would not affect the Town or the facility. Milone had expressed concerns that closing a prison within the state, or relocating prisoners, could have an adverse impact on the Town. At the Cheshire Correctional Institution, the North Block of the facility remains unused, but can hold up to 400 prisoners. Milone said that, in previous years, the DOC had assured him that the North Block would only be used in emergency situations or temporary reassignments.
“I was reassured by the acting commissioner that the status of the North Block was unchanged,” Milone said. “It would only be used, as they have repeatedly stated, in the case of an emergency.”
On Nov. 6, Gov. M. Jodi Rell issued a press release announcing that the DOC is considering closing a prison, as a result of decreased inmate population. The current population is around 18,500, down from a record high of 19,900 in February 2008. Rell said the numbers have declined because of successful post-release programs and, in a tight economy, savings and efficiencies needed to be looked at in every aspect of government.
“The fact that we are at a point to realistically consider closing a prison is a testament to DOC’s effectiveness in carrying out its mission, one of the most difficult in state government,” Rell said. “However, consolidating operations must be done, first and foremost, with the safety of the staff, the public, and the inmates as a priority.”
Milone explained that the prison population already adds stress to the wastewater treatment plant and the addition of inmates would put more pressure on the system. However, Milone was pleased that Murphy reached out to the Town to put those concerns to rest.
“He got right on it and reassured me that the ground rules haven’t’ changed,” Milone said. “We were concerned about additional prisoners in town, but fortunately it appears that those concerns aren’t realistic.”
Rell had charged Murphy with making a recommendation by Nov. 27, after a feasibility study was completed. Rell noted that other states are “spending millions” to build new prison facilities because of a “ballooning inmate population,” but she stated that Connecticut could set itself apart from other states with efficiencies in prison management.
“Because of the agency’s efforts and reentry initiatives, comprehensive and timely reviews by a full-time Board of Pardons and Parole, and a new class of 125 Correction officer graduates, we have an opportunity to build on those successes,” Rell said.
There are three facilities in Cheshire that can hold a maximum number of 2,759 inmates. Cheshire Correctional Institution is a level 4-security facility for adults, which currently houses roughly 1,359 inmates. Webster Correctional Institution, a low security facility that focuses on offenders set to re-enter society, has about 356 inmates. Manson Youth Institution, the state’s primary facility for prisoners 14 to 21 years of age, is a level-4 facility and has approximately 650 inmates.
While Murphy continues to look at closing a state prison, last week’s phone conversation with Milone seems to have assured town officials that no such action would impact Cheshire. Still, Rell stated her belief that this action was one of importance, citing economic difficulties as one of the leading factors.
“With troubling deficit estimates still a reality, it is incumbent upon us to thoroughly examine any and all savings in state spending,” Rell said, “but if we again need the space and must reopen a prison, we absolutely will.”