Stafstrom Commends Governor's Announcement to Close Northern Correctional Institution

February 8, 2021

In response to the Governor Ned Lamont's announcement that Northern Correctional Institution in Somers, Conn. will close in July 2021, State Representative Steve Stafstrom (D – Bridgeport), House Chair of the Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement applauding the move:

"Northern Correctional Institution is a relic of the dark and barbaric "tough on crime era" that was literally built to feel like the walls were caving in. It stood in contrast to all the progress we have made in this state to be "smart on crime" and invest in rehabilitation and reentry. Thank you to Governor Lamont and Department of Corrections Commissioner Angel Quiros for listening to advocates, lawmakers and stakeholders to shutter the facility and reinvest in the greater community. I look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Corrections to improve conditions for those in detention and be a national model for criminal justice reform."