Bridgeport Correctional Center

The Bridgeport Correctional Center is a level four, high-security prison for male inmates located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It houses both pre-trial inmates and sentenced offenders for superior courts located in Ansonia, Derby, Milford, Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk, and Stamford.

A minimum-security is located inside Bridgeport Correctional Institution for inmates who are close to the end of their sentence and preparing to re-enter society. These inmates qualify for outside clearance jobs and community support programs.

Bridgeport can house up to 860 inmates and it provides programs to help them acclimate to incarcerated life and to return to society as productive citizens.

The Bridgeport Correctional Center opened in 1958, and in 1974, the "New Center" was built for approximately 310, level 4 inmates. In 1997, the oldest part of the facility, the "Old Center" originally serving as chambers for the judge and housing for those inmates awaiting judgment, was demolished after suffering irreparable fire damage in 1990.

Housing units: Madison, Fairmount, and Memorial are open dorm units built in 1986 and 1992. Madison houses 58, level 2 inmates, Fairmount houses 208, level 4 inmates, and Memorial houses 240, level 4 inmates.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

Before you can visit, you must be placed on the inmate's approved visiting list. Visitors are also encouraged to contact the facility prior to visitation to confirm the visiting schedule and to ensure that the inmate they plan to visit has not lost his or her visiting privileges.

To see a detailed visitation schedule click here.

There are no visits on State Observed Holidays (New Year's day, Martin Luther King Day, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day).

Each inmate is allowed two (2) visitors per visit and one (1) per day for 30 minutes in duration. Regular visiting period is held on a schedule determined by the inmate's housing location. 

You must be able to present a current, photo identification at the correctional facility to be allowed to visit. It is up to the offender to notify a visitor that they have been added to the visiting list.

Please note that the Department of Correction conducts a verbal screening process for all visitors, volunteers and vendors to assess risk of exposure of Ebola.  Please also be advised that visitors who are exhibiting flu symptoms will not be permitted to visit with offenders.

Cell phones and electronic devices are not permitted within correctional facilities.

Dress Code

Attire must be reasonably modest. Revealing, seductive, or offensive clothing may present a safety and/or security risk and may result in the visitor being denied access to the facility.

All correspondence must include the inmate's full name and their inmate number in addition to the address of Bridgeport Correctional Institution. There is no limit placed on the number of letters an inmate may write or receive at personal expense, except as a disciplinary penalty.

It is requested that padded mailing envelopes not be utilized in corresponding with inmates as they may present a security issue. The use of such envelopes will result in slower delivery of mail.

Those engaging in correspondence with offenders are encouraged to exercise caution with regard to the release of any personal information that could compromise their safety.

Pen Pal Website Warning

Discretion is advised when utilizing inmate information from alternative sources such as pen pal websites, that may be misleading or intentionally inaccurate.  The Department does not control the content of information posted on inmate pen pal websites, nor are inmates allowed Internet access.  

On a case by case basis, and where possible, the Department does review the responses sent to inmates from pen pal websites to determine if they are consistent with the safety and security of the correctional facility and the rehabilitative interests of the offender.

How to Call an Inmate

Inmates at Bridgeport Correctional Institution do have access to phones during daytime hours. However, you can’t call an inmate directly. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Connecticut, please click here.

How to Send Money

The Inmate Trust Fund (ITF) office is responsible for receiving funds for incarcerated offenders, for making payments from, and maintaining all records associated with offender accounts.

The Inmate Trust Fund can accept funds in four ways: US Mail, JPAY, TouchPay, and Western Union. 

JPAY Electronic Deposit Details
JPAY: One Click Payments with JPay

TouchPay Electronic Deposit Details
TouchPay: www.ctdoc.net

Western Union Electronic Deposit Details
Western Union: www.westernunion.com/corrections

For U.S. Mail

Funds are accepted from the following sources:

Money Order or Certified/Cashier's Check, along with complete and legible remitter information 

*All Checks or Money Orders MUST be payable to the inmate 

* Remitter Information MUST include: 

1. Inmate First, Middle Initial and Last Name 

2. Inmate Number 

3. Inmate Date of Birth 

4. Sender's First and Last Name 

5. Sender's Full Address (Number, Street, Apartment/Unit, City, State, and Zip Code)

Complete and legible Remitter Information must be included with each item. DO NOT include anything else with the check/money order and remitter form, such as cards, letters, pictures, notes, etc. They will not be forwarded to the offender. Money orders/checks must be mailed to:

Inmate Trust Fund
P.O. Box 290800
Wethersfield, CT 06129-0800

• Inmate Trust Fund Remitter Form

​Programs For ​Inmates

• Transitional Linkage into the Community (TLC) is a program of Community Partners in Action which provides discharge planning for inmates with HIV/AIDS. TLC case managers meet clients' emergency needs upon release, and connect them with services in their local communities for continuing care and assistance.
• Tier One Re-entry meets the treatment needs of offenders reentering the community from a pre-sentence or direct admission facility Addiction Services Units. Using the evidenced-based Beat the Streets curriculum, this program component focuses on relapse and re-integration. 
• The Tier Two Program is an intensive outpatient Addiction Services Program with 30 curriculum sessions for 10 weeks. Group components are held three times weekly and incorporate weekly fellowship meetings to lay the foundation of basic substance abuse information, promote personal identification with recovery, and motivate further treatment involvement. This program may also be held in Spanish for Spanish Speaking offenders.
• Adult Basic Education is a primary program of instruction designed to provide training in academic skills in the areas of reading, mathematics, language arts, general science and social studies. The program is directed toward increasing academic proficiency. ABE 2 is provided to individuals who have been assessed by the education unit with a 5-8 grade level. ABE 4 is provided to individuals who have been assessed by the education unit with a 0-12 grade level. 
• The GED is the primary program of instruction for students functioning above an eighth grade level who wish to earn a State of Connecticut high school diploma through the examination process. GED Tutors and volunteers assist Department teachers by helping inmates prepare for the GED Exam and/or by helping to teach basic language skills. 
• Narcotics Anonymous is a twelve-step fellowship of addicts helping addicts to recover from the disease of addiction. Meetings, in a variety of formats (Step Meetings, Speaker, Speaker/Discussion, etc.), are held on a weekly basis. The meetings are usually conducted by outside volunteers who share their story of addiction and recovery. Addiction Services or Volunteer Services staff coordinate the meetings and provide oversight for the program.
• Mindfulness in Corrections is a 6-12 Session program teaching mindfulness to inmates to develop more self-awareness, lower recidivism, encourage addiction recovery, and develop internal and external peace. Teaching how to increase emotional intelligence and how to deal skillfully with: anxiety, anger, stress, cravings. 
• CNA is a program licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) with required relicensure every two years. Classes are 190 hours multidisciplinary team approach with specific mandated DPH subject matter. The students are taught and prepared so as to qualify them for certification as a nurse aide (CNA). The main goal of the program is to provide skills to offenders so that they can transition and/or assimilate into the healthcare workforce post discharge. 
• Discharge Orientation is conducted either individually or in groups with offenders who are within a year of discharge to the community. Topics include: ID procurement; community programs; related matters. 
• Alcoholics Anonymous is a 12-Step Fellowship self-help group for inmates who provide mutual support in obtaining and maintaining sobriety while also helping others to recover from alcoholism. Meetings, in a variety of formats (Big Book, Step Meetings, Speaker, etc.), are held on a weekly basis. Addiction Services or Volunteer Services staff coordinate the meetings and provide oversight for the program.

Pictures of Bridgeport Correctional Center

Careers at Bridgeport Correctional Center

The Department of Correction is staffed by a variety of professionals including correction officers, clergy, maintenance, clerical, and counselors to name just a few. To explore career options within the Department of Corrections click here.