Bergin Correctional Institution

Bergin Correctional Institution was a low-security state prison for men in Storrs, CT. It was built in 1988 as the Northeast Correctional Institution and received its first inmates on 13, 1989.[1] After briefly closing in 1997 and re-opening in 1999, the prison closed for good on August 12, 2011 due to years of declining prisoner population.

Bergin Correctional Institution
LocationStorrs, Connecticut
Coordinates41°48′47″N 72°17′50″W
StatusClosed
Security classLevel 2 (Low)
Capacity600
ClosedAugust 12, 2011
Managed byConnecticut, Department of Correction
Director
Wardens[1]
  • 1989-1991 William D. Morabito
  • 1991-1994 Mary H. Buell
  • 1994-2001 Evelyn Bush
  • 2001-2003 Sandra A. Sawicki
  • 2003-2009 Eileen Higgins

History

The buildings and campus of Bergin Correctional Institution have been put to a number of uses by the State of Connecticut. Before being used as a prison, the site was first home to the Mansfield Training School and Hospital for people with mental disabilities.[2] As the Mansfield Training School, portions of the property are listed on the National Register of Historic Places[3]

The Northeast Correctional Institution was established as a pre-release center for inmates nearing the end of their sentences and specialized in preparing inmates for re-integration into society.[4] It had a number of occupational and substance-abuse treatment programs available, and housed inmates in dormitory-style housing and in cottages.[2]

It closed in 1997 but reopened in 1999.[4] On February 3, 2001 the name of the prison was changed to honor late Captain Donald T. Bergin, who had helped open the institution.[1]

The prison closed for good on August 12, 2011 due to years of declining prisoner population.[4] After closure as a prison, the University of Connecticut leased the space for offices and laboratory space. The university acquired the property in 2015.[5]

References
  1. Department of Correction, State of Connecticut, Bergin Correctional Institution, Department of Correction, 2013, http://www.ct.gov/doc/cwp/view.asp?a=1499&q=265386, accessed on 2 December 2013
  2. Pat Eaton-Robb, "APNewsBreak: UConn looks to lease former prison", Yahoo News 27 November 2012, accessed on 3 December 2013
  3. .Jan Cunningham and John Herzan (March 10, 1987). "NRHP Inventory-Nomination: Mansfield Training School and Hospital / Mansfield Training School". National Park Service. and Accompanying 16 photos, from 1986
  4. Christopher Keating, "State Would Close Minimum Security Prison To Save Money Under "Plan B - Donald T. Bergin prison in Storrs, CT", The Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT) 11 May 2011, accessed on 3 December 2013
  5. "Bergin Correctional Institution". Connecticut Department of Corrections. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
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