CT Department of Correction issues report in response to operation concerns

The Connecticut Department of Correction (DOC) issued a response to a report back in January that highlighted operational concerns. The response was released to NBC Connecticut by the Office of the Correctional Ombudsman (OCO).

The original report, issued by Attorney DeVaughn Ward at the OCO, said the conditions they found were consistent across many facilities and underscored the “seriousness and pervasiveness of the issues confronting Connecticut’s correctional system.

You can read the entire report here.

Among the several concerns outlined in the OCO report were those related to the quality of healthcare, sanitation, and hygiene, and staffing.

The OCO said they found that the DOC relied heavily on modified and full facility lockdowns when faced with staffing shortages. Lockdowns are usually limited measures that are used in genuine emergencies in facilities.

In its response, the DOC acknowledged the impact and issues arising from staffing shortages. They also detailed that as of the end of this month, they will have trained around 100 new correctional officers and hope to have 300 new officers in total by the end of 2026.

The DOC also explained how they were working with the union on staffing, which would hopefully reduce the number of lockdowns.

The OCO provided other recommendations that the DOC said would require in-depth conversations with other agencies, and that the DOC would “welcome” additional conversations with the OCO.

Mental health and medical needs were also the subject of many complaints to the OCO, according to the report. The OCO cited a December 2025 report from Disability Rights Connecticut that found sexual assault and systemic safety failures at York Correctional Institution, particularly affecting people with disabilities.

When it comes to healthcare, the DOC said the biggest obstacles were funding and a lack of compensation to attract healthcare workers. According to the DOC, healthcare costs have risen by 37% since 2022.

The DOC said they are also working with the Department of Social Services and the Office of Policy and Management to examine hospitalizations and outpatient services from 2022 to 2024.

They said, among other things, it’s a way to improve health care quality and outcomes, increase care efficiency, and get better guidance on care for inmates.

When it comes to hygiene and sanitation, the OCO report, among other things, states that some showers have mold present and lack anti-slip mats on their floors.

According to the DOC, shower renovations are underway at York, MacDougall-Walker, and Bridgeport, while additional renovations are scheduled for New Haven, Hartford, and Cheshire in 2026. They listed each of its facilities and what’s being done or will be done to improve safety on the shower floors.

The DOC also said they’ll “evaluate” the OCO’s suggestion to get the facilities accredited with the National Commission on Correctional Health Care.

You can read the full response here, including other points the DOC touched on that the OCO highlighted:

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