Cheshire Correctional Institution

Address:	900 Highland Avenue Cheshire , CT 06410 Directions.
Phone:	(203) 651-6100
Fax:	(203) 651-6069
Security:	Level 4

Warden:	Denise Walker
Deputy Wardens:	Jennifer Peterson Carlos Nunez

Visiting Information:

Please review the following information before scheduling a visit https://portal.ct.gov/DOC/Miscellaneous/Visiting

Cheshire CI Visiting Schedule - Eff. May 19, 2021

Updates: CONTACT VISITS, NON-CONTACT & VIDEO VISITS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

 

Ongoing cancellations: No social visits on Wednesdays (7 AM - 3 PM) and Fridays (4 PM - 11 PM) until further notice.

Please complete the following form to request a scheduled in-person or video visit: Visit Request Form

Note: A visit is not scheduled until you receive confirmation from the facility. Check your junk mail folder for confirmations or emails regarding visits.

Visits are scheduled according to the inmates housing location. If an inmate moves to another housing location, the visit will be cancelled and needs to be rescheduled. It is the inmate’s responsibility to notify the visitor that their visit will need to be rescheduled.

Any individual who attempts to visit a facility without a pre-scheduled, confirmed appointment will not be accommodated.

For all general visiting information refer to https://portal.ct.gov/DOC/Miscellaneous/Visiting

Population Information:

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

General Information:

The Cheshire Correctional Institution confines long-term, adult sentenced offenders. It also operates several specialized housing units, including protective custody and restrictive housing.

The facility emphasizes rewards for deserving inmates via opportunities for bettering themselves by: learning a trade through prison industries, educational programming, addiction service programming and religious programming.

The vocational education programs conducts dozens of projects assisting non-profit and community organizations, which include refurbishment and donation of bicycles to local elementary schools. 

Present staffing: 428.

Listing of the inmate programs available at this facility (PDF, 409 KB).

PREA Auditor's Summary Report (PDF, 498 KB).

History:

The Cheshire Reformatory was established by the Connecticut General Assembly in 1909 and opened in 1913 after three years of construction carried out by inmates from the State Prison in Wethersfield.   It was designed as a reformatory for male offenders ages 16-24, with the intention of seperating these offenders from the adult prison population. 

The physical plant consists of four inmate housing units and is situated on 25 acres.  The cells of the north block galleys were reportedly purchased from Sing Sing prison in New York and brought to Connecticut by barge.

In 1956 an addition was built.

In 1968 the facility was merged administratively with the newly created Department of Correction.

In 1982 the facility was designated for adult males.

In 1993, the galleys closed and the new North and South Blocks were opened.

In 1998 the commissary housing unit opened.

List of past wardens:

1910-1915	Albert Garvin
1918-1950	George Erskine
1950-1968	Robert Grey
1968-1971	B. J. Leverette
1971-1972	Carl Robinson
1972-1980	Dwaine Nickerson
1980-1982	Ray Coyle
1982-1982	James Singer
1982-1984	Terry Moore
1984-1991	Victor Liburdi
1991-1995	Leonard Barbieri
1995-1996	Christopher Pelkey
1996-1996	Frank Crose
1996-1997	John Tarascio
1997-2000	George Wezner
2000-2001	Remi Acosta
2001-2003	Hector Rodriguez
2003-2005	James E. Dzurenda
2005-2007	Daniel W. Martin
2007-2009	Charles Lee
2009-2011	John Alves
2011-2014	Jon Brighthaupt
2014-2015	Timothy Farrell Sr.
2015-2019	Scott Erfe
2019-2020	Kenneth Butricks