Robinson Correctional Institution

The Carl Robinson Correctional Institution is a level three medium-security state facility for male inmates located in Enfield, Connecticut. It houses sentenced offenders as well as pre-trial inmates, and the facility provides a great emphasis on programming and education.

The facility is named after Carl Robinson, who served as warden of the Somers State Prison from 1972-1983, and was the first African-American warden appointed in Connecticut.  He also served as superintendent of the Cheshire Reformatory.

The Robinson Correctional Institution was opened on November 8, 1985, and it is situated on the site of the historic Shaker farm community, which dates from 1792. In January of 1990, with the implementation of a new Inmate Objective Classification System, the institution's security level was changed to medium-security.

Carl Robinson Correctional Institution has 1,478 beds, and in addition to the level 3 inmates, it also has housing for level 2 inmates and level 1 inmates approved for community supervision.  The facility consists of ten housing units, some of which address a specific purpose i.e., new admissions, outside clearance, school, and the T.I.M.E. program (Tier IV Addiction Services). 

There are also stand-alone buildings for Administration, Operations, Activities (Education Department, Library, Religious Services), and Program Building, Visitors’ Center, Recreation and Dining Hall. 

The mission of Carl Robinson Correctional Institution is to provide effective opportunities for inmates to obtain necessary life skills, education, and values to facilitate successful integration into their families and communities.

Prison Insights

Visiting Hours and Rules

The visiting days and hours at Robinson Correctional Institution are based on the inmate’s last name. To get a detailed schedule for inmate visits, click here.

Getting on the approved visiting list

Before you can visit an inmate, you must be placed on their approved visiting list. When an inmate first arrives at Robinson, they are allowed to set up a visiting list, and the inmate’s counselor will send out the visiting forms directly to the person designated by the offender.  

This means that before you are allowed to visit, you must let the inmate know that you wish to visit so they can have their counselor send you the form.

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

Any adult visitor who is 18 years of age or older must be on the 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

We recommend that you contact the facility prior to visitation to confirm the visiting schedule and to insure that the inmate you plan to visit has not lost his or her visiting privileges.

You must have a current photo ID to visit. Proper forms of ID include a driver’s license, state-issued ID, a passport, or a military ID. 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. 

Visitors who are exhibiting flu symptoms will not be permitted to visit with offenders.

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.

Any mail you send to an inmate must include their full name and inmate number. Do not use padded mailing envelopes because they are considered a security issue.

You can only send books and magazines to an inmate if they are in new condition and are packaged and shipped by the bookstore or publisher. You are not allowed to send in food or clothing packages for inmates

How to Call an Inmate

You can’t call an inmate at Robinson Correctional Center, but they do have access to phones during daytime hours and can call you collect. 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 Deposit

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., 00123456Jones.

By U.S. Mail

When sending a money order, it is important to have complete and legible remitter information included with it. You can download 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

​Programs For ​Inmates

The Robinson Correctional Institution offers a wide assortment of programming for inmates, including intensive, in-patient, substance abuse treatment and a full menu of educational and vocational programming, including culinary arts, machine tooling, small engine repair, and community college courses.

The facility participates in the Town of Enfield Adopt A Spot program, provides community service to several towns, and assists several municipal and non-profit agencies in printing flyers and related material.

They also have a special Time Out program, which is a five-week program designed to provide inmates with relapse prevention programming in hopes of improving their chances of successful return to the community.

• Educational programs include Adult Basic Education, GED, High School Diploma, Vocational, and College Courses.
• Second Chance Pell Program

A Three-Year Pilot Program from the United States Department of Education that allows qualified, participating offenders to attend college courses at selected facilities. The courses are instructed by participating community colleges and currently offer Associate Degrees, Certificates, or classes in Manufacturing, Business Administration, and Human Services.

• VOICES Victim Offender Institutional Correctional Educational Services  

This program is designed to use volunteer support to broaden inmates' understanding and sensitivity to the impact of their crime on others.

• SMARTS Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques

A three-session program offered once a week where offenders will learn various techniques to decrease their stress level and increase their awareness of healthy relaxation techniques. Offenders may be educated in the use of deep breathing exercises, guided imagery, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and a simplified form of cognitive behavioral therapy to enhance their ability to cope with incarceration.

• Peer Mentor Program

Peer Mentors are Tier program graduates who assist Addiction Services staff in the presentation of Tier program groups and 12-Step Fellowship groups. The primary purpose of Peer Mentors is to model a recovery lifestyle for other program participants. Weekly training meetings are required for all Peer Mentors.

• Medication Assisted Treatment

This is a reentry based program that identifies offenders during their incarceration and connects them to a community treatment provider to receive medication assisted treatment. This process allows the offender to have a developed plan for services that is available to them upon their release. Addiction Services Staff coordinates admission into the program and schedules a meeting for the offender to meet with the community provider. 

• Marriage/Family Relationships

These weekly classes will give an inmate an opportunity to examine the family as an institution; the dynamics of interpersonal relationships within a family; society's expectations; personal expectations; personal growth issues that are common barriers to effective communication; and the inmate's role within his family. Rotating units of study will include an eight-session series on marital issues which will fulfill pre-marital counseling requirements; parenting via Christian principles; exercising Godly leadership in the home; and more.

• Domestic Violence Program

This group is designed for inmates who have committed a domestic violence offense. Successful completion of this program is a requirement for those inmates who enter into the department's community-based transitional supervision program for domestic violence offenders.

• Discharge Orientation

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, and related matters.

• CONNTAC-EOC (CT Talent Assistance Cooperative-Education Opportunity Center)

Representatives from CONNTAC-EOC are provided with names of students to meet with while the student is still incarcerated. The representatives assist students with their post-secondary plans and financial aid. 

• Community Service Detail

The Community Services Detail provides inmate labor to various state and local non-profit organizations. Examples of work performed are basic carpentry, painting, refinishing floors, grounds landscaping, and maintenance. A cornerstone of the restorative justice concept, the community services detail provides enormous benefit to the community and to the inmate participants.

Pictures of Robinson Correctional Institution

Careers at Robinson Correctional Institution

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