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🏛 State Directory

Prisons and Jails in Connecticut.

Connecticut Department of Correction manages the Connecticut state correctional system. Connecticut's inmate information system (ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us) allows searches by inmate number or name. Connecticut is unique - the state operate
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County jails
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Federal facilities
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State inmates

Connecticut State Prisons

11 facilities

Federal Facilities in Connecticut

1 facility

Connecticut Department of Corrections

Connecticut's inmate information system (ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us) allows searches by inmate number or name. Connecticut is unique - the state operates all jails and prisons. There are no separate county jails in Connecticut.

The official inmate search is available at www.ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us. FCI Danbury in Connecticut is a federal facility - primarily housing women.

Visitation in Connecticut Facilities

Connecticut DOC visitor approval requires an application through the facility. Because CT DOC operates all facilities statewide, the process is somewhat standardized. Processing takes 2 - 3 weeks. Dress code: no gray clothing (matches inmate uniforms), no revealing clothing.

Always confirm visiting schedules directly with the facility before traveling. Find specific visitation rules on each facility's page in our Connecticut prison directory.

Sending Mail to Connecticut Inmates

CT DOC mail requires the inmate's inmate number. Connecticut has transitioned many facilities to a mail scanning system - physical mail is processed centrally and delivered electronically. Check the specific facility's current mail policy. Photos must be standard prints - no Polaroids.

InmateAid delivers letters and photos, postcards, and magazines to Connecticut facilities. Want to receive letters without sharing your home address? Our Letters From Inmates service scans and delivers inmate mail to your account.

Sending Money to Connecticut Inmates

Commissary funds let inmates purchase approved items from the facility store. Primary money transfer options for Connecticut:

  • JPay (deposits to inmate accounts)
  • Commissary purchases through facility
  • Money orders mailed to DOC trust account

See our Send Money guide or navigate to the specific facility page for current provider information.

Reentry Resources in Connecticut

Planning for release is one of the most important things a family can do. These organizations provide support in Connecticut:

Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut Prisons

Are phone calls really free in Connecticut?

Yes - completely free. Connecticut passed legislation in 2022 eliminating all charges for phone calls and video calls from CT DOC facilities. Neither the inmate nor the family member receiving the call pays anything - no per-minute charge, no connection fee, no setup cost. This applies to all CT DOC facilities statewide and covers both voice calls and video calls. Connecticut was among the first states to take this step for its entire system, and advocates who worked for years to achieve it cite research showing that regular family contact during incarceration significantly reduces recidivism after release. Because Connecticut has no county jails - the DOC operates all correctional facilities - the free call policy effectively benefits all detained people in Connecticut regardless of whether they're awaiting trial or serving a sentence.

Why doesn't Connecticut have county jails?

Connecticut abolished county-level government in 1960, eliminating the governmental structure that would normally operate county jails. The Connecticut Department of Correction now operates all correctional facilities in the state - from maximum-security prisons to what in other states would be called county jails for pretrial detainees. This means a single unified set of policies, one inmate search system, and one point of contact for families regardless of whether your person is awaiting trial or serving a sentence. For families, navigating Connecticut's system is genuinely simpler than navigating the split state-and-county systems that most states use - there is only one agency to deal with, one set of mail rules, and one visitor application process.

What is the inmate number in Connecticut?

Every person in Connecticut DOC custody - whether awaiting trial or serving a sentence - is assigned a unique inmate number by the CT DOC at intake. This number must appear on all mail sent to a CT DOC facility. Find your inmate's number through the CT Inmate Information system at ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us - search by name and the number will appear in the results along with current facility assignment, which is helpful since CT DOC does transfer inmates between facilities. The system updates regularly and reflects current location. Keep the number written down - you'll need it for mail, commissary deposits through JPay, and any communications with facility staff.

Does Connecticut scan prison mail?

Connecticut has been transitioning some facilities to centralized mail scanning, though the rollout has been gradual and not uniform across all facilities. At facilities using the system, physical mail is sent to a processing center, opened, scanned, and delivered digitally to the inmate rather than as a physical letter. At facilities that haven't transitioned, physical mail is still delivered. Before sending anything - particularly photos, drawings, or items of sentimental value - call the specific facility or check CT DOC's website to confirm current mail processing. If your facility uses centralized scanning, you can often submit mail digitally through the scanning company's platform, which is faster and less expensive than mailing something physical that will be converted to digital anyway.

How do I find out if my loved one has been transferred in Connecticut?

The CT Inmate Information system at ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us reflects current facility assignments and updates regularly - this is your fastest and most reliable source. If your inmate has transferred, the new facility typically appears in the system within 24 - 48 hours of the move. Connecticut's relatively small system makes tracking transfers more manageable than in large states - there are a limited number of CT DOC facilities, and the state's small geography means transfers are usually between a handful of locations. If your inmate's mail has started coming back or their calls have stopped, a transfer is often the cause. Check the online system first - it should resolve the mystery quickly. For urgent situations, CT DOC's central office can be reached at 860-692-7480.

Can I visit someone at York Correctional Institution?

York Correctional Institution in East Lyme is Connecticut's only women's correctional facility, housing women at all classification levels. All visitors must be pre-approved through CT DOC's visitor application process - your name must be on the inmate's approved visitor list before any visit is permitted. York is located in New London County, about 45 minutes from New Haven and 35 minutes from New London. Contact York directly at 860-691-4000 to request visitor applications and confirm current visiting hours - schedules do change. Dress code is enforced: no gray clothing (resembles inmate uniforms), no revealing clothing, no clothing with offensive graphics. York offers contact visits for most inmates - confirm the specific visiting conditions for your family member's housing unit when you call.

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