Cheshire Native Raises Concerns Over Correctional Facility Conditions

By Susan Reynolds, Cultivating Justice and Capitol Towers Resident

My name is Susan Reynolds, a resident of Capitol Towers in Hartford and member of Cultivating Justice, a community-based group fighting for racial equities across the state. I grew up in Cheshire and frequently visited Cheshire Park, which is directly across Highland Ave from what we used to call “Cheshire Reformatory”, which was merged administratively with the Department of Correction in 1968 and repurposed into Cheshire Correctional Institution between 1993-1998. While I was a teenager I remember concerts there in the summer time with different bands every Friday night; there was nothing quite like a night out in the park for a 16 year old. We all hung out there listening to music and just being kids, never once thinking about the youth who were housed just across the street at Cheshire Reformatory.

Forty plus years later I see Cheshire Correctional Institution through different eyes. A person who sees first hand how and who are the most affected communities in Connecticut. While it is up for question whether Cheshire CI affects the residents of Cheshire directly, it is one of many places enforcing systemic inequalities in Connecticut that continue to negatively impact the lives of my friends and neighbors.

For the last 7 days there has been an ongoing hunger strike at Cheshire CI, with at least 8 individuals who are participating calling for better conditions . As they continue pushing through, it is crucial to remember what initiated this hunger strike.

They are demanding the following:

1. Better Food – In 2023 the Department of Correction estimated the cost of feeding people who are incarcerated was estimated at $2.30 . The $2.30 only represents the cost of food per person who is incarcerated. The Department of Correction has not reported actual costs since 2003. At that time they reported the cost of food at $2.02. When including preparation and service costs, the final cost is $3.61. People who are incarcerated are also concerned about the rat infestation in the kitchen facilities and would prefer not to receive food from the kitchen.
2. Ending frequent lockdowns – People incarcerated at Cheshire Correctional expressed concern that they are experiencing excessive lockdowns due to continuous understaffing and officer training workshops .
3. Improved Healthcare – I recently attended the End of Session Report with Stop Solitary CT at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford and heard a number of previously incarcerated individuals whose requests for medical services were continuously ignored. One speaker, Glenn London, has continued to advocate for proper medical care for incarcerated individuals . Mr. London was entered into Bridgeport CC for a non-violent crime in January of 2023. London alerted the facility’s medical staff to the blood in his urine, but for months he failed to get adequate medical treatment. Finally, in August of 2023, Mr. London was evaluated by UConn’s Health center, where a golf ball-sized cancerous mass was found, resulting in chemotherapy and the removal of his bladder and lymph nodes. Due to months of negligence, Mr. London’s life is now forever impacted due to inadequate medical treatment by the DOC.
4. Five hours required recreation time – This is required by state law.
5. Fair wages – In 2024 people who are incarcerated wages were recorded as being between $.75 and $1.75. Connecticut should do better.This is money that people who are incarcerated can use at the commissary to purchase personnel needs. Instead of having to call relatives and friends to send money to their account.
6. Fixing hot water in showers – This is basic maintenance. No one should have to ask for this to be fixed.
7. The ability to shower after recreational time – Everyone wants to take a shower after recreational time.
8. Cleaning dirty vents – Another maintenance issue that should be handled on a quarterly basis at least. Clean air vents would contribute to better air quality and health for not only those individuals incarcerated, but the staff working 40 plus hours a week in the same facility.

My Hartford community is affected by the issues happening at Cheshire Correctional Institute and other facilities across the state. As of June 1st 2025, the demographics of Cheshire Correctional population are as follows :

The total population at Cheshire Correctional is 1,249.

48.52% of individuals housed there are Black and 31.63% are Hispanic.

The total number of Black and Hispanic individuals in Cheshire CI is 1,001 out of 1,249.

Well over half of the Cheshire CI population comes from Black and Brown communities around the state. As a state striving to be a global leader in “progressive correctional practices” , Connecticut needs to correct the issues that have been pointed out by people who are incarcerated at not only Cheshire Correctional Institution, but other facilities across the state. To achieve its goal of community safety and successful re-entry into the community, the DOC has to solve for the irrefutable and inhumane systemic and structured treatment of the incarcerated population. The state needs to do better for all residents and all communities. Most of all, let’s stop using black and brown communities as prison fodder.