Northern Correctional Institution

The Northern Correctional Institution is a level five, maximum security institution for male inmates located in Somers, Connecticut.  It is designated to manage those inmates who have demonstrated a serious inability to adjust to confinement, posing a threat to the safety and security of the community, staff, and other inmates, are sentenced to death, or posses a high bond.

The Northern Correctional Institution provides a highly structured, secure, and humane environment while affording inmates an opportunity through positive behavior and program participation to return to a less restrictive facility.

Administrative Segregation at Northern is situated on 20-acres, immediately adjacent to the Osborn Correctional Institution.

In 1995, Connecticut's death row inmates were moved to the Northern Correctional Institution from the Osborn Correctional Institution where they were previously housed.

In July 2013, high bond inmates began transfers to Northern Correctional Institution. This was part of an extensive restructuring plan of the entire agency, in an effort by the administration to utilize its infrastructure and available bed space to operate on a more efficient basis. This was accomplished while sustaining all inmate programming and providing opportunities for staff development.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting format at Northern is non-contact visit. This means that the inmate and his visitors are separated by a glass partition and they communicate by phone, which may be monitored.

Visiting times are every day at 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 1:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm, and 8:30 pm.

All social visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance through the operations clerical staff. 

The frequency of visits depends on which status and/or phase an inmate is in:  

• A/S Phase 1 - one (1) visit per week; limited to thirty (30) minutes.  
• Special Needs - Three (3) visits per week; limited to one (1) hour.  
• Death Row - three (3) visits per week; limited to one (1) hour.  
• High Bond – two (2) visits per week; limited to one (1) hour. 

Inmates with even numbers visit on even days, Inmates with odd numbers visit on odd days. No visits on 31st. 

Inmates are eligible for a weekend visit every other weekend (this does not apply to High Bond). An inmate is permitted to have up to two (2) visitors at a time. 

Getting on the approved visiting list

Before you can visit an inmate, you must be added to their approved visiting list. When an inmate first arrives at the facility, they are allowed to set up a visiting list, and the visiting forms will be sent by their counselor to those who are designated by the offender.  

Once you receive your form, fill it out completely and sign the application before mailing it back to the counselor. The approval process can take up to three weeks.

Any visitor who is 18 years of age or older must be on the approved visiting list. Children must be accompanied by an adult on the approved visitor list and remain under the supervision of the adult visitor.

It is up to the inmate to notify you when you have been added to the visiting list.

General Visiting Rules

You must present a current, photo identification to visit. All visitors under the age of 16 must provide a valid birth certificate and one additional document containing the child's name, i.e. report card, social security card, etc. 

You must dress reasonably modest to visit an inmate. 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.

You are not allowed to bring in cell phones or other electronic devices.

All correspondence that you send to an inmate must include their full name and inmate number. Do not use padded mailing envelopes.

Books and magazines must be in new condition and packaged and shipped by the bookstore or publisher. The Connecticut Department of Correction does not allow family and friends to send in clothing packages for offenders.

How to Call an Inmate

You can’t call an inmate at Northern Correctional Institution, but they do have limited access to phones during daytime hours. For complete details on how to call an inmate in Connecticut, please click here.

How to Send Money

You can send money to an inmate with a money order by using the postal service, or you can use a debit or credit card with JPAY, Touch Pay, or Western Union.

Click on one of the links below to send money to an inmate:

JPAY: One Click Payments with JPAY
Touch Pay: www.touchpayonline.com
Western Union: Electronic Deposits (PDF, 94KB)

For Western Union, please remember:

Pay To: Connecticut DOC
Code City: CTDOC
Account: 8-digit Inmate Number and Inmate Last Name.*

* If inmate number is less than 8 digits, add two zeros at the beginning, i.e., 00123456Johnson.

U.S. Mail

When sending a money order you must include the Inmate Trust Fund Remitter Form and send it with the money order to: 

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

Be sure to include the inmate's full name and correctional identification number on the money order. Do not include any correspondence to the inmate. Make sure that the money order and remitter form are legible.

​Programs For ​Inmates

Getting Settled Getting Going - Administrative Segregation:

This is an in-cell class that requires the offender to begin thinking about the choices they have made and how they can begin to make different choices to their situation.

Handling a Crisis:

This is the second in a series of in-cell classes occurring after the program Getting Settled & Getting Going. This program offers the offender techniques that can be used when dealing with stressful situations

Education:

The General Education Development (GED) exam provides qualified offenders the opportunity to participate in the examination process in order to receive a Connecticut State High School Diploma. 

The High School Equivalency Program provides qualified offenders the opportunity to earn the 20 credit hours (120 hours per credit) required to receive a Connecticut High School Diploma.

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 3 is provided to individuals who have been assessed by the education unit with a 9-12 grade level. 

Interactive Skill Building:

This program is coordinated by a Correctional Recreation Supervisor to introduce inmates to a range of fitness activities. This activity may be offered to individuals, groups of 5 (or less) or larger groups. 

ISB introduces participants to the Rules of Good Sportsmanship and Physical Education/Recreation Game Rules. Coaching Goals, Exercise Guidelines, Officiating Guidelines and Team Concepts may be introduced in depth. Recreation Supervisors encourage inmates to better understand fitness, self-control, and well-being through Team Sports, including: Basketball, Handball, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball and Flag Football. 

In addition to Intramural Activities, inmates may be introduced to Calisthenics, Aerobics, Running/Walking, Weight Conditioning, Relaxation Techniques, and Yoga. Other activities may include: Art Classes, Band/Music Programs, Table/Board Games; Creative Writing. 

Tournaments reinforcing personal development or self enrichment may include: Badminton, Bowling, Horseshoes, Paddleball, Ping-Pong, Frisbee, and Bocce. 

Inmates may also be organized to provide Community Services, including: Conservation, Restoration & Beautification (Garden/Ground Projects), Photo Program Fundraisers. ISB may also include: Book Clubs/Reading Groups, Hobby Groups, or encouragement to participate in other elective voluntary activities. 

Interpersonal Effectiveness:

This is the third in a series of in-cell classes occurring after the program, Handling a Crisis. This program combines the techniques used in Getting Settled, Getting Going and Handling a Crisis to help improve three skills: 1) How to deal with people, 2) problems, and 3) different environments.

Start Now:

Start Now is a 32-session program broken down into four sections. Start Now is a manualized Dialectical Behavior Therapy that utilizes a workbook and teaches hygiene, the use of positive self-talk, acceptance, positive coping skills, understanding grief/loss/anger/worry and anxiety and depression. It educates others to use positive coping skills such as imagery, focusing, active listening, open attitudes, setting boundaries, and problem solving. 

Transitional Linkage into the Community (TLC):

This program from Community Partners in Action provides discharge planning for inmates with HIV/AIDS. TLC serves every prison and jail in the state, and works with clients returning to every region of the state. TLC case managers meet clients' emergency needs upon release, and connect them with services in their local communities for continuing care and assistance.

Pictures of Northern Correctional Institution

Careers at Northern Correctional Institution

The Northern Correctional Institution is staffed by correction officers, clergy, maintenance, clerical, and counselors. To explore career options within the Department of Correction click here.