Bergin Correctional Institution

Last updated
Bergin Correctional Institution
Bergin Correctional Institution
Location Storrs, Connecticut
Coordinates 41°48′47″N72°17′50″W / 41.81306°N 72.29722°W / 41.81306; -72.29722
StatusClosed
Security classLevel 2 (Low)
Capacity600
Opened1989
ClosedAugust 12, 2011
Managed by Connecticut, Department of Correction
Director
Wardens [1]
  • 1989-1991 William D. Morabito
  • 1991-1994 Mary H. Buell
  • 1994-2001 Evelyn Bush
  • 2001-2003 Sandra A. Sawicki
  • 2003-2009 Eileen Higgins

Bergin Correctional Institution was a low-security state prison for men in Storrs, Connecticut. It was built in 1988 as the Northeast Correctional Institution and received its first inmates on March 13, 1989. [1] After briefly closing in 1997 and reopening in 1999, the prison closed for good on August 12, 2011, due to years of declining prisoner population. [2]

Contents

History

The buildings and campus of Bergin Correctional Institution have been put to a number of uses by the State of Connecticut. Before being converted to a prison, the property was part of the Mansfield Training School and Hospital for people with mental disabilities. [3] As the Mansfield Training School, portions of the property are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [4]

The Northeast Correctional Institution was established as a pre-release center for inmates nearing the end of their sentences and specialized in preparing inmates for re-integration into society. [5] It had a number of occupational and substance-abuse treatment programs available, and housed inmates in dormitory-style housing and in cottages. [3]

The prison closed in 1997 but reopened in 1999. [5] On February 3, 2001, the name of the prison was changed to honor late Captain Donald T. Bergin, who had helped open the institution. [1] The prison closed for good on August 12, 2011, due to years of declining prisoner population and budget cuts. [5]

The University of Connecticut leased the former prison for offices and laboratory space. [6] The university acquired the property in March 2015, aiming to redevelop the prison sleeping rooms and gymnasium into project rooms and offices. [7] These plans fell through, and UConn transferred the property back to the state in December 2021. The site is considered for the future location of a new regional technical high school, which would replace Windham Technical High School in Willimantic. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Department of Correction, State of Connecticut, Bergin Correctional Institution, Department of Correction, 2013, http://www.ct.gov/doc/cwp/view.asp?a=1499&q=265386, accessed on 2 December 2013
  2. ↑ "Bergin Correctional Institution". Connecticut Department of Corrections . Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  3. 1 2 Pat Eaton-Robb, "APNewsBreak: UConn looks to lease former prison", Yahoo News 27 November 2012, accessed on 3 December 2013
  4. ↑ .Jan Cunningham and John Herzan (March 10, 1987). "NRHP Inventory-Nomination: Mansfield Training School and Hospital / Mansfield Training School". National Park Service. and Accompanying 16 photos, from 1986
  5. 1 2 3 Christopher Keating, "State Would Close Minimum Security Prison To Save Money Under "Plan B" - Donald T. Bergin prison in Storrs, CT", The Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT) 11 May 2011, accessed on 3 December 2013
  6. ↑ Megan, Kathleen (2012-11-27). "UConn may lease former prison in Mansfield". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  7. ↑ Skahill, Patrick (2015-08-25). "UConn to Develop Former Prison Into Classroom and Lab Space". Connecticut Public. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  8. ↑ "State hoping to use former prison site for high school". AP News. 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.