The Connecticut Department of Correction (CT DOC) is the state agency responsible for the custody, care, and rehabilitation of adults held in Connecticut's correctional facilities. Headquartered at 24 Wolcott Hill Road in Wethersfield, Connecticut, the department operates a unified correctional system — meaning Connecticut, unlike most states, combines its jail and prison functions into a single state-run system rather than separating county jails from state prisons. This makes CT DOC responsible for both pretrial detainees and sentenced individuals. If you have a loved one in CT DOC custody, this guide explains how to find them and stay connected with them.
About the Connecticut Department of Correction
The CT DOC operates a network of correctional facilities across the state, ranging from high-security prisons to community-based and reentry-focused facilities. As a unified system, it houses approximately 10,000 individuals at any given time, including both people awaiting trial (who cannot make bond) and those serving sentences. The department employs over 5,800 staff members dedicated to public safety and rehabilitation.
The department's main administrative phone number is 860-692-7480, and the Public Information Office maintains an inmate information line at 860-692-7780, available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The official website is portal.ct.gov/doc. The records-on-file figure associated with this listing reflects historical booking records accumulated over time, not the current population.
Connecticut's unified system means that when someone is arrested and cannot post bond, they are held in a CT DOC facility rather than a county jail. This is an important distinction for families who may be more familiar with the county-jail model used in most other states.
How to Find an Inmate in Connecticut DOC
The CT DOC provides a free online Inmate Information Search at ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us. You can search by:
- The person's name
- Their CT DOC inmate number
Results include the individual's current facility, bond amount (for pretrial detainees), sentence information, and a date of admission. You can also search PrisonAssist.com for historical booking records. If you cannot locate someone or need help, call the inmate information line at 860-692-7780 during business hours.
Because Connecticut's system handles pretrial detainees, the search tool is also useful for families of someone recently arrested — if a person could not post bond at arraignment, they will appear in the CT DOC system, not a separate county jail roster.
Visiting Someone in Connecticut DOC
The CT DOC has modernized its visiting policies in recent years to make visits more accessible to families. Notably, as of December 2, 2024, in-person visits at facilities like New Haven Correctional Center no longer need to be pre-scheduled, with two in-person visits per week allowed and one video visit per week also permitted. However, policies vary by facility, so always confirm the specific rules for the facility where your loved one is held.
Becoming an Approved Visitor
To visit, you must be on the incarcerated person's approved visiting list. The individual submits a visiting list, and prospective visitors are screened. Each facility maintains its own visiting schedule, which is posted on the facility's specific page on the CT DOC website.
What to Bring and Dress Code
- A valid government-issued photo ID is required for all adult visitors.
- Dress conservatively — avoid revealing clothing, clothing resembling inmate uniforms, and excessive accessories.
- Minors must be accompanied by an approved adult and may require documentation of their relationship.
- You will pass through security screening, including a metal detector.
CT DOC also offers video visitation, which is especially valuable for families who live far from the facility or cannot travel. Check the CT DOC website for instructions on setting up and scheduling video visits.
Sending Mail to Connecticut DOC Inmates
Written correspondence remains one of the most important ways to maintain a connection. To send mail to a CT DOC inmate:
- Address mail to the inmate's full committed name, their inmate number, and the facility's mailing address (found on portal.ct.gov/doc).
- Include your full return address on every envelope.
- All incoming mail is inspected for contraband.
- Prohibited items include cash, stamps, stickers, glitter, and anything that could carry drugs.
- Legal mail (from attorneys or courts) is handled separately and must be clearly marked.
CT DOC, like many systems, has implemented mail-scanning procedures at some facilities to combat drug-laced paper. Check the department's website for current mail policies, which may direct general correspondence to a centralized processing center. If you'd rather not navigate the rules yourself, PrisonAssist.com offers a letter service that formats and mails your correspondence to meet facility requirements.
Phone Calls in Connecticut DOC
CT DOC uses Securus Technologies as its inmate telephone provider. Connecticut made national news in 2021 by passing legislation to make prison phone calls free — one of the first states to do so — significantly easing the financial burden on families. To receive calls:
- Set up an account with Securus at securustech.net or by calling Securus customer service.
- Register your phone number so the incarcerated person can call you.
- All calls except confidential legal calls are recorded and monitored.
The move toward free or low-cost calling reflects Connecticut's recognition that regular family contact reduces recidivism and supports successful reentry. Check the current rate structure and any free-call allowances on the CT DOC and Securus websites.
Sending Money to Connecticut DOC Inmates
Money for an incarcerated person's needs is handled through the Inmate Trust Fund (ITF). Funds can be used for commissary purchases, phone credits (where applicable), and other approved expenses. Connecticut accepts deposits through several methods:
- By mail: The ITF accepts certified checks, cashier's checks, attorney checks, employer checks, refund checks, Social Security checks, tax refund checks, unemployment checks, and Veterans Administration checks sent via U.S. mail. Personal checks and cash are generally not accepted by mail.
- Online/electronic: Through the department's approved electronic deposit vendor (check portal.ct.gov/doc for the current provider and instructions).
- Lobby kiosk: Some facilities have kiosks for cash or card deposits.
Always include the inmate's full name and inmate number with any deposit. Keep records of all transactions. Mailed deposits take longer to process than electronic ones.
Programs and Rehabilitation in Connecticut DOC
CT DOC offers a range of programs aimed at rehabilitation, education, and successful reentry:
- Mental Health Services: The Mental Health Department offers programs for individuals experiencing stress and depression, including emotional literacy, community groups, and psycho-education.
- Educational Programs: The Education Department provides academic instruction, GED preparation, and a program to identify non-English-speaking individuals for referral to specialized educators.
- Substance Abuse Treatment: Programs addressing addiction, a common factor in criminal behavior.
- Vocational Training: Job-skills programs preparing individuals for employment after release.
- Community Reentry Programs: Structured reentry support, including transitional services and connections to community resources.
- Inmate Family Assistance: The department provides information and resources on inmate accounts, telephone calls, child support, voting rights, and family transportation assistance.
Connecticut has been a national leader in criminal justice reform, including reducing its incarcerated population significantly over the past decade and pioneering young-adult-focused units modeled on European approaches that emphasize rehabilitation over punishment.
Bail and Pretrial Detention in Connecticut
Because Connecticut operates a unified system, individuals who are arrested and cannot post bond are held in CT DOC facilities while awaiting trial. Bond is set at the time of arraignment based on the charges, criminal history, and flight risk. Families can post bond directly with the court or through a licensed Connecticut bail bondsman, who typically charges a percentage of the bond as a non-refundable premium. Connecticut has enacted bail reforms in recent years aimed at reducing pretrial detention for low-level, nonviolent offenses, thereby expanding eligibility for release without a monetary bond. Consult the individual's attorney or public defender about options for pretrial release.
Connecticut in the National Context
Connecticut's unified correctional system, free phone calls, and emphasis on rehabilitation make it one of the more reform-oriented states in the country. Its incarcerated population has declined substantially over the past decade, and the state continues to invest in reentry programming and young-adult units. Families can stay informed through the CT DOC website and advocacy organizations such as the Connecticut Bail Fund and Stop Solitary CT.
Navigating Connecticut's Unified System: What to Expect
Because Connecticut combines pretrial and sentenced populations in one system, families often interact with CT DOC at the most stressful possible moment — right after an arrest, when a loved one cannot post bond. Understanding the journey through the system helps reduce uncertainty:
- Intake and assessment: Newly admitted individuals are first held at an intake facility where they undergo medical, mental health, and classification screening before being assigned to a more permanent placement.
- Classification: CT DOC assigns each person a security and needs classification that determines their facility, programming access, and privileges. Classification can change over time based on behavior and progress.
- Counselor contact: Each incarcerated person is assigned a counselor who manages their case, programming referrals, and (for sentenced individuals) reentry planning. The counselor is your best institutional contact for substantive questions.
Connecticut's Reentry Focus and How Families Help
Connecticut has invested heavily in reentry, recognizing that successful reintegration reduces recidivism and improves public safety. The state's emphasis on free phone calls, modernized visiting, and rehabilitation-focused units reflects this philosophy. Families can support reentry by staying in regular contact (now far more affordable with free calls), helping develop a stable housing and employment plan, and connecting with reentry organizations. The CT DOC provides information on community re-entry, inmate family assistance, and transportation help for families who need to travel to facilities. As the release approaches, ask the counselor about Connecticut's reentry services, including transitional supervision and halfway-house placement, which can allow eligible individuals to serve the remainder of their sentences in a community-based setting. Engaging early with these resources gives your loved one the best chance at a successful transition.
Connecticut's Approach to Young Adults and Rehabilitation
Connecticut has earned national attention for innovative units that treat young adults (typically ages 18–25) differently from the general population, modeled in part on European correctional approaches that emphasize education, mentorship, and rehabilitation over punishment. These units recognize that young adults' brains are still developing and that age-appropriate, rehabilitation-focused environments produce better long-term outcomes. If your loved one is a young adult, ask their counselor whether they may be eligible for these specialized programs. Connecticut has also significantly reduced its incarcerated population over the past decade through sentencing reforms, expanded parole and earned credit, and a focus on diverting low-level offenses away from incarceration. These reforms mean families today are navigating a system that increasingly emphasizes second chances and reintegration, and staying engaged with your loved one's counselor and case plan is the best way to take advantage of the opportunities available.
Support Resources for Families
- CT DOC Inmate Information Line: 860-692-7780 (Mon–Fri, 8 AM–4:30 PM)
- Administrative Line: 860-692-7480
- Inmate Search: ctinmateinfo.state.ct.us
- Official Website: portal.ct.gov/doc
- Securus Phone Service: securustech.net
- PrisonAssist.com: Inmate search, letter service, care packages, phone help
Inmate service providers at Connecticut Department of Corrections (CT DOC)
Like most US jails and prisons, Connecticut Department of Corrections (CT DOC) relies on private companies for phone calls, video visits, money transfers, and care packages, each with its own fees and sign-up steps. Nationwide the most common providers are Securus and ViaPath (GTL) for calls and video, JPay and Access Corrections for sending money, and Access Securepak for care packages.
Not sure which company serves Connecticut Department of Corrections (CT DOC)? Our inmate service provider directory explains how each one works, what it charges, and how to set up an account before you pay.