As part of the Agency’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic The Connecticut Department of Correction is suspending all social visits to its facilities across the state effective Friday, March 13, 2020.

All volunteers are also being prohibited from entering the institutions.

It is important to note that, to date, there have been no confirmed cases of anyone within a state prison having contracted the coronavirus.

Some of the changes the Department of Correction has enacted in order to protect the offender population as well as the public include:

*The suspension of all community inmate work crews.

*Limiting nonessential inter-facility transfers of inmates.

*All tours of facilities by members of the public have been suspended.

*Recreation groups will be limited to one housing unit at a time.

Cleaning and disinfecting of the prisons is being performed virtually nonstop on all three shifts.

Additionally, offenders are being encouraged to practice universal preventative precautions of: frequent handwashing (for at least 20 seconds); avoiding touching of their face; and avoiding handshakes.

In an effort to lessen the impact of the loss of visits, the Department of Correction has negotiated with the state’s contracted prison phone service provider, Securus, to provide two free phone calls per week for the next 30 days.

“We are well aware of the importance of visits to the offender population,” said Department of Correction Commissioner Rollin Cook. “This is a difficult, but necessary decision. We have no choice but to take whatever steps necessary to ensure everyone’s health and safety.”

The Department of Correction is continually reassessing the evolving situation and will provide updates when warranted.