How to Send Messages to Inmates

You can use your phone or computer to send emails, letters, and photos to an inmate. Messages are sent electronically to inmate tablets or kiosks at the facility. If you would like to send a message, start by searching for an inmate at Northern Correctional Institution.

Sending Photos and Postcards

A great way to send love and support to a loved one at Northern Correctional Institution is to send photos and postcards. It only takes a few minutes to send photos from your phone and it makes a huge difference. You can also mail postcards with words of support and inspiration, or design your own postcard for special moments like birthdays and holidays.

Important! Be sure not to send any explicit photos or they may not be approved by the facility. You can also use a photo printing app like Penmate to make sure your photos are printed at the correct size (4x6 or 3x5) and are mailed according to the rules and regulations of Northern Correctional Institution.

Frequently asked questions about Northern Correctional Institution

1. How long does it take to deliver a message?

   If you're sending an email message your letter is usually delivered within 24-48 hours. For messages sent via mail you should expect delivery within 3-7 days. All messages will need be approved by Northern Correctional Institution.

2. How much does it cost to send a message to Northern Correctional Institution?

   You can send a message free using your phone or mail a message via USPS for the price of a $0.60 stamp and envelope. You can also purchase credits or e-stamps from services starting at $1.99.

3. What services can I use to contact an inmate at Northern Correctional Institution?

   Penmate

   You can use Penmate to send letters and photos to an inmate from your phone. It's an easy way to stay in touch during your loved one's incarceration. Use the inmate locator to find an inmate's location and contact information, then you can send messages within a few minutes.

   Securus messaging

   Securus may be another option for communicating with an inmate at Northern Correctional Institution. You can create a friends and family account and purchase credits to send messages. All messages will be reviewed and must be approved by the facility.

   JPay

   Some county jails and state prisons may support sending messages with JPay. You must register an account with the system, find your loved one, and purchase stamps to send messages. For some locations you can also attach photos.

   Smart Jail Mail

   You may also check if Smart Jail Mail is available at Northern Correctional Institution. Smart Jail Mail is operated by Smart Communications and has contracted with some state and county jails. After purchasing credits, your messages and photos are sent to the facility, printed out, and then handed out to your loved one.

4. What is the mailing address of Northern Correctional Institution?

   Mailing address:

   Northern Correctional Institution
   287 Bilton Rd
   Somers, CT 06071
   Phone: (860) 763-8600

5. What are the visiting hours at Northern Correctional Institution?

   Visiting hours at Northern Correctional Institution vary by housing unit and security level. Generally, visits are scheduled on weekends and holidays, with some facilities offering weekday visits. Contact the facility directly at (860) 763-8600 or check their website for the current visiting schedule. Visits typically last 30-60 minutes and must be scheduled in advance.

6. What items are prohibited when sending mail to Northern Correctional Institution?

   Prohibited items typically include: cash, personal checks, stamps, stickers, glitter, glue, tape, staples, paperclips, polaroid photos, musical or blank greeting cards, hardcover books, magazines with staples, and any items containing metal or electronics. Only send letters on plain white paper with blue or black ink. Photos must be printed on regular photo paper (no Polaroids). Always check with Northern Correctional Institution for their specific mail policies.

7. How do I send money to an inmate at Northern Correctional Institution?

   You can send money to an inmate at Northern Correctional Institution through several methods: 1) Online using JPay, Access Corrections, or the facility's approved vendor, 2) Money orders mailed directly to the facility with the inmate's name and ID number, 3) Kiosks located in the facility lobby, or 4) Over the phone using a credit or debit card. Fees vary by method, typically ranging from $2.95 to $11.95 per transaction.

8. Can I schedule a video visit with an inmate at Northern Correctional Institution?

   Many facilities now offer video visitation as an alternative to in-person visits. At Northern Correctional Institution, video visits may be available through services like Penmate, Securus Video Connect, GTL, or ICSolutions. Video visits typically cost $10-20 for 20-30 minutes and must be scheduled in advance. You'll need a computer or smartphone with a camera and reliable internet connection. Contact the facility for their specific video visitation policies and approved vendors.

9. What identification do I need to visit an inmate at Northern Correctional Institution?

   All visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can provide the minor's birth certificate. Some facilities require visitors to be on the inmate's approved visitation list, which may require a background check. Contact Northern Correctional Institution for specific ID requirements and visitor approval procedures.

10. How can I find out an inmate's release date?

    To find an inmate's release date at Northern Correctional Institution, you can: 1) Use the online inmate search tool if available, 2) Call the facility's records department, 3) Contact the inmate's case manager or counselor, or 4) Have the inmate provide this information during a call or visit. For privacy reasons, some facilities only release this information to immediate family members.

Programs & Services

Important Note: As of June 11, 2021, the Northern Correctional Institution has been permanently closed due to a reduction in the inmate population.

The Northern Correctional Institution was designed with a comprehensive approach to managing Connecticut’s most challenging incarcerated population through structured programming and behavioral intervention. According to facility documentation, the institution maintained a formal listing of inmate programs specifically tailored to its maximum-security environment, focusing on providing opportunities for positive behavioral change that could eventually allow inmates to transition to less restrictive facilities. The facility’s programming philosophy centered on creating pathways for inmates to demonstrate rehabilitation progress despite the high-security setting.

During its operational years, Northern CI typically offered educational services that may have included basic literacy programs, GED preparation, and adult basic education courses adapted for the maximum-security environment. Mental health and counseling services were likely essential components, given the facility’s role in housing inmates with serious adjustment difficulties, potentially including individual therapy, group counseling sessions, and crisis intervention programs. The institution may have also provided religious services, limited recreational activities, and library access within the constraints of its security level.

Given the facility’s specialized population, including those in administrative segregation and special risk categories, programming was often delivered through modified formats such as in-cell education, individual counseling sessions, and carefully supervised group activities. Support services typically included medical care, substance abuse counseling where appropriate, and reentry planning for those inmates who demonstrated sufficient progress to potentially transfer to lower-security facilities within the Connecticut correctional system.

Daily Life & Visitation

Important Note: The Northern Correctional Institution closed in June 2021 due to reduced inmate population.

During its operational years, the Northern Correctional Institution maintained one of the most structured daily environments in Connecticut’s correctional system. As a Level 5 maximum security facility designed for inmates who demonstrated serious adjustment difficulties, the institution operated under strict protocols that governed every aspect of daily routine. The highly structured environment was specifically designed to manage individuals who posed significant safety concerns while still providing opportunities for positive behavioral change and program participation that could eventually lead to transfer to less restrictive facilities.

The 20-acre facility, which was situated adjacent to the Osborn Correctional Institution, typically maintained rigid scheduling for all activities including meals, recreation, and any available programming. Given the facility’s role in housing death row inmates (transferred there in 1995) and managing various specialized populations like the Special Risk Group Threat population (arriving in 1999), daily life was characterized by extensive security measures and limited movement. Inmates may have had access to basic commissary services, limited recreational opportunities, and structured time for personal hygiene and cell maintenance, though all activities would have been heavily supervised and scheduled.

Communication with family members and legal representatives was generally facilitated through controlled visitation procedures and monitored phone calls, following standard Connecticut Department of Correction policies. The facility’s programs, as referenced in available documentation, may have included basic educational opportunities, mental health services, and religious programming, though participation would have been carefully managed given the security level and the specific needs of the population served during the institution’s 26-year operational period.