On a cold evening during a three-day training at Garner and York Correctional Institutions, the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) welcomed Connecticut Department of Correction (CTDOC) personnel and key partners to its offices at UConn’s School of Public Policy. This informal gathering fostered discussions about the program’s transformative impact and future potential.

“Change in corrections does not happen easily,” noted Deputy Commissioner Bill Mulligan, a 30-year veteran of the DOC. “The work we are doing today is for our kids and our grandkids.”

“The work” brings together stakeholders from across Connecticut and as far away as California, Washington state, and Norway. The initiative is part of the IMRP’s International Justice Exchange (IJE). In partnership with Amend, a physician-led public health program based at the University of California, San Francisco, the IMRP aims to equip CTDOC with the training and resources for the development of safer, more humane, and ultimately more effective prisons.

The project is funded by legislative appropriations, as well as additional funding provided by the Connecticut Project. 

History of the IJE

By facilitating firsthand, immersive experiences with Norway and Germany – countries recognized for healthier corrections environments, low recidivism, and evidence-based practices – the IJE empowers Connecticut leaders to develop and implement effective, humane laws and policies. It also supports correctional facility staff in adopting practices that strengthen Connecticut’s justice system and improve outcomes. The first IJE visit to Norway, in November 2022, was covered by this CT Public documentary. 

“Connecticut is well known across the country as a leader in justice reform,” explains IMRP Director Andrew Clark. “Much of this has been based on looking to other states to see what works. About 10 years ago, we broadened our lens overseas and realized there were even better practices occurring outside of the United States.”

Read about the history of the IJE here.

After a series of discussions with CTDOC, Deputy Commissioner Mulligan and Patrick Hulin of the Governor’s office traveled to Norway in September 2023 with a delegation from other Amend-participating states including California, Oregon and Washington.

Recognizing the opportunity, CTDOC began a formal partnership with IMRP, Amend, and the Norwegian Correctional Services to promote correctional culture change at pilot sites York CI and Garner CI, with the goal of expanding agency-wide. The work officially began in March 2024.

The initiative is divided into two phases.

– Phase One: Establishing a Foundation for Transformative Change –

• Staff Engagement: Focus groups, training sessions, and workshops were conducted with correctional professionals at Garner and York to gather input, build consensus, and foster a shared understanding of project goals.  

• Immersive Learning: Amend facilitated opportunities for DOC staff to participate in immersive learning experiences at other correctional facilities, both domestically and internationally. These experiences provided exposure to successful programs and best practices that have informed Connecticut’s tailored approach.  

• Data-Driven Framework: IMRP contributed to the establishment of a data-driven framework through weekly meetings, site visits, and collaboration with Amend and DOC staff, helping to identify key challenges and inform program design.  

“When you’re coming in to these settings from the outside, it’s important to build trust, and that starts by being a good listener,” explains IMRP Director of Research Dr. Vaughn Crichlow, who facilitated many of the early focus groups. “The focus groups were a very important way of doing that. We worked with small groups of individuals – and if they’re the right individuals and they are influential, they can work with the rest of the facility. But you need to bring them on board first. Any initiatives that are going to come out of this starts with them.”

– Phase Two: Culture Change Implementation and Impact Assessment –

The second phase, which includes the recent on-site trainings in February, focuses on the implementation and assessment of DOC-developed and approved resource and activities teams at both Garner and York. These teams of in-house staff are designed to address key areas such as:

• Staff Well-being: Streamlining core responsibilities and promoting a supportive work environment to reduce burnout and enhance morale.  

• Behavior of People in Custody: Implementing dynamic security principles to cultivate positive staff-incarcerated individual relationships, leading to a reduction in incidents and a safer environment.  

• Normalization: Introducing and managing programs and activities that mirror life outside of prison, improving the overall atmosphere and preparing incarcerated individuals for reintegration into society.  

• Progression of People in Custody: Assessing and supporting the progress of incarcerated individuals, particularly those with a history of problematic behavior, through targeted interventions and resources.  

The recent on-site visits focused on training the in-house resource teams responsible for developing procedures, protocols, and necessary data collection. Two shifts of teams – comprising four officers and one lieutenant at each site – receive ongoing support, including training on the importance of mental health, as well as mentorship, and data analysis to measure impact.  

Members of the resource teams expressed pride and excitement about their roles in the program, noting it was the first time the team “had come together.” One participant emphasized how simple activities, such as playing a round of Uno with incarcerated individuals, can build trust and foster open communication.

“You can see the ability for change,” noted one participant, a corrections officer with six years of experience on the job. “To me, that’s everything. It really changes the scope of the career.”

Warden Jeanette Maldonado highlighted the program’s strength, noting that its success stems from being built and implemented by frontline officers – “boots on the ground and up” – who have the most direct access and influence.

A Commitment to Meaningful Change

Kevin Reeder, Amend’s Senior Program Manager, emphasized the significance of CTDOC’s investment in this initiative:

“With this investment in its staff at Garner and York, CTDOC joins a small group of state prison systems that are committed to making their prisons safer, healthier places to work and live while doubling down on the central role that rehabilitation plays in meeting their public safety mission.” 

Simultaneously, the IMRP is leading a correctional officer-requested “beautification project” via a partnership with UConn experts in plant science and landscape architecture. This initiative focuses on enhancing green spaces and improving the environment within the facilities, contributing to a more positive atmosphere for both staff and incarcerated individuals.  

“One of the striking things about visiting a prison in Norway is that it doesn’t resemble a prison in the United States,” explains Andrew Clark. “Staff and policymakers realize how much the built environment contributes to those that reside and work in prisons. The beautification efforts are an attempt to bring a bit of that humanity to Connecticut.”

This initiative marks a significant step toward cultural transformation in Connecticut’s correctional system, reinforcing the state’s commitment to fostering a safer, more humane, and rehabilitative environment.

“This is about taking an approach that helps to de-escalate tense situations and relationships, benefitting not just the incarcerated individual, not just the prison staff member, but everyone they connect with as well,” reiterates Dr. Crichlow.