Bergin Correctional Institution

Address:	251 Middle Turnpike Storrs, CT 06268 Directions.
Phone:	(860) 487-2712
Fax:	(860) 487-2764
Security:	Level 2

Population Information:

See data available regarding Connecticut Department of Correction's supervised population.

General Information:

The Donald T. Bergin Correctional Institution serves as a pre-release center for inmates who are approaching the end of their sentence or a period of supervised community placement. The Bergin Correctional Institution assists inmates returning to the community by supporting and promoting the preparatory skills necessary for a successful reintegration.

The Bergin Correctional Institution is a level 2 minimum-security facility for male offenders.  One of the many programs offered here is pre-release substance abuse counseling, which provides skills related to successful recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. These addiction service initiatives are uniquely tailored to a population that is facing imminent release to the community. Other programs offered include a partnership with the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Labor.  The Department of Motor Vehicles provides an inmate workshop on the restoration of driver privileges upon release. The Department of Labor provides offenders with opportunities to participate in apprenticeship programs and other job search skills.

The Bergin Correctional Institution provides substantial work programs designed to aid surrounding communities with projects such as beautification of town buildings and open spaces. Work crews are assisting in the towns of Ashford, Mansfield, Stafford Springs, and East Hartford.

The facility is named after the late Captain Donald T. Bergin, a 23 year veteran of the Connecticut Department of Correction.  He joined the agency on September 27, 1974.  As an officer, he was assigned in 1989 to take part in preparing for the opening of the new Northeast Correctional Institution, a facility which had previously served the mentally ill.  He progressed through the ranks at the institution and retired in July of 1997 to take on a new career as the director of Haitian Ministries for the Diocese of Norwich.  Tragically, he died a month after his retirement.  With the urging of friends, correctional colleagues, religious leaders and elected officials the facility was named in his honor in 2001.

Present staffing: 218.

Listing of the inmate programs available at this facility (PDF, 202 KB).

History:

The Donald T. Bergin Correctional Institution, formerly known as the Northeast Correctional Institution, opened on March 13, 1989 on 11.25 acres. It opened under the direction of Warden William Morabito, as a pre-release center and has remained a pre-release center throughout the years. Its original population was 248 male inmates.

In 1997, with an average population of 350 inmates, the Northeast Correctional Institution closed its doors due to the redistribution and consolidation of the inmate population.

In February of 1999, spurred by the need for additional inmate beds, the Northeast Correctional Institution reopened as a pre-release center with a capacity to house 500 male offenders.

In January of 2001 the population increased to an average of 650 inmates after construction of an expansion project was completed.

On February 3, 2001 the name was officially changed to the Donald T. Bergin Correctional Institution.

List of past wardens: