Prisin Tour

As part of learning about Correctional Institutions and their programming, structure, facility accommodation and discharge planning I toured and observed the Robinson Correctional Institute in Enfield, Connecticut. The area where this institute is currently located was previously a Shaker farming community up to 1985 where they gave this property to the town of Enfield to devise the land to improve human life. Therefore, the state used this farming area as a correctional institute named after Carl Robinson who was the former Warden at Somers Correctional Institute. Observing the facility I noticed that it was very open with many separate buildings which appeared very similar to a college campus. This correctional facility is a level 3 medium-security facility that places significant emphasis on programming and education for its offenders. Touring the Robinson facility I found it to be completely different then what I thought this prison would look like. First of all instead of inmates being placed in cells they were housed in six pods which included bunks beds giving it a dormitory feeling. I found it interesting that almost all of the inmates had televisions and CD-players on their bunk beds and that such a large group of offenders was living together in such an open space. It was also interesting that each pod had a large bathroom and also a living area where inmates could actually do their own laundry and iron clothing. To me this seems like it could be dangerous but as their carefully watched such things can teach these guys the importance of appearance which would be especially helpful to find jobs after their release. I was shocked that the one officer in the control room of each pod was able to monitor and account for each of the inmates as there probably around 90 or so inmates in each pod. By exploring all the programs and educational services available to the inmates I could tell that their main focus was on rehabilitating the offender. Educationally, they had many different classes ranging from basic skills to receiving their GED to vocational programs. Once inmates receive their GED they can participate in vocational programs including Culinary Arts, Horticulture, Barber Shop, Machine Tool and small engine repair technologies. It was interesting to see how big these classes were and how many books and resources their library had. Besides school based classes they had a religious room where inmates could practice and preach almost any religion