Bergin Correctional Institution

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]

Bergin Correctional Institution
LocationStorrs, Connecticut
Coordinates41°48′47″N 72°17′50″W
StatusClosed
Security classLevel 2 (Low)
Capacity600
Opened1989
ClosedAugust 12, 2011
Managed byConnecticut, 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

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. 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. 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. 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.
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