From right to left, Jen­nifer Spinello, of Tor­ring­ton, watches her step­daugh­ter Mor­gan Leach with her son Hunter, 10 months, and her sis­ter Jai­dyn Gib­son, of Tor­ring­ton.
Featured Article

A chance to spend time together

Hol­i­day lunch, toy giveaway reunites moms with chil­dren at Niantic women’s prison.

 

“And she loves water, like loves it," Morse said as she bounced Wil­low on her lap, speak­ing dur­ing a hol­i­day toy giveaway and lunch at York Cor­rec­tional Insti­tute Sat­urday, organ­ized with the Uni­versity of Con­necti­cut, giv­ing incar­cer­ated moth­ers a chance to cel­eb­rate a late Christ­mas with their chil­dren.

 

More Articles

Donuts with Dads event at Osborn CI brings fathers together with children

The Father’s Day event brought together incarcerated fathers and children for a morning of games, crafts, and family time. 

READ MORE

ReConnect CT: Digital Pathways Program Launches with Partner Event

The kickoff launched the initiative aimed at expanding digital access for incarcerated individuals. 

READ MORE

CTCIP Releases Annual Activities Report

The 2025 report highlighted activities to expand outreach, strengthen partnerships, and create meaningful opportunities.

READ MORE

CTCIP Hosts Winter Family Celebration at York Correctional Institution

Twenty incarcerated mothers were joined by their children for an event focusing on family connection.

READ MORE

A chance to spend time together

A hol­i­day lunch and toy giveaway reunites moms with chil­dren at Niantic women’s prison.

READ MORE

IMRP Hosts Culture Change Summit with CT DOC

Building the Next Phase of Culture Change: Highlights from the Winter 2025 CTDOC/IMRP/Amend Summit

READ MORE

Lessons in Humanity: MPA Grad Gains Insights from Norway’s Correctional Model

Connecticut agencies are learning firsthand how international models can improve justice at home.

READ MORE

Creating National Connections to Better Serve Connecticut

The 2025 National Association of Sentencing Commissions (NASC) conference seeks to refine their mission.

READ MORE

Borrowing from Norway, a Connecticut prison tries a new approach

IMRP’s International Justice Exchange is conducting groundbreaking work in prison reform based on methods from Norway.

READ MORE

IMRP Facilitates CTDOC Culture Change Collaboration

UConn's IMRP collaborated with the CTDOC to discuss the program’s impact and potential.

READ MORE

Best Practices in International Corrections: Lessons from Norway

UConn's IJE team make efforts tinform best practices in corrections and reentry systems in Connecticut.

READ MORE

Scholarship Supports Students with Incarcerated Parents

This UConn scholarship has provided over $15k of funds to students impacted by the incarceration of a family member.

READ MORE

A mother’s calling: Inside the fight to make prison phone calls free in Connecticut

Local families brought an end to expensive prison communication. But consistent contact still isn't guaranteed.

READ MORE

CT prison aims to maintain bonds with incarcerated mothers and their children

New initiatives at a Niantic prison will give incarcerated mothers more opportunities to bond with their children.

READ MORE

IMRP Heads to Norway for Look Inside Prison System Seeking to ‘Create Good Neighbors’

UConn staff visit Norwegian prisons in order to view the stark differences between the two approaches to incarceration.

READ MORE

Learning from Norway: Reconstituting hope in our justice system

Stakeholders from Connecticut studied Norway’s rehabilitation-focused justice model.

READ MORE

Holiday Party for Kids of Incarcerated Parents Aims to Illuminate Their Bright Futures

A Hartford holiday event brought joy and support to children with incarcerated parents.

READ MORE

Their children need us

Two officers were killed responding to a call, leaving behind young children in need.

READ MORE

Playground at York Correctional Will be Newest Tool to Connect Incarcerated Moms With Their Kids

A new playground at York will give incarcerated moms more ways to bond with their children.

READ MORE

Norway Shares Its Model of Success 3: The Rights of the Child

A look inside the Norway incarceration system and how these modern frameworks are structured through the lens of youth.

READ MORE

Connecticut Becomes First State to Provide Free Calls from Prison

Connecticut is the first state to make all prison phone calls free for incarcerated people and families.

READ MORE

More Family Visits Sought for Halfway House Parolees

Connecticut is exploring ways to expand family visitation for people in halfway houses.

READ MORE

Families Want Connecticut to Stop Profiting From Prison Phone Calls

Advocates are pushing legislation to end the state’s profit from costly prison phone calls.

READ MORE

Dancing, playing replaces partitioned prison visits for kids

A new family dance program lets parents and children connect beyond prison partitions.

READ MORE

Inmates and their children gather at first family dance in new program at Willard-Cybulski Correctional Institution

Willard-Cybulski hosted its first family dance to strengthen bonds between incarcerated parents and kids.

READ MORE

First ‘Family Dance’ event held at CT Department of Correction

Connecticut’s Department of Correction launched a Family Dance event to help fathers bond with their children.

READ MORE

Activists Fight for Children on the Path to Criminal Justice Reform

CTCIP highlights how strong parent-child bonds reduce trauma for the 2.2M kids impacted by incarceration.

READ MORE

Winners and losers: The 2019 legislative session

A telecom bill to make prison phone calls free nearly passed, and advocates vow to keep pushing.

READ MORE

Prison inmates shouldn’t have to pay for phone calls

Families say prison phone costs are unfairly high, placing heavy financial and emotional burdens.

READ MORE

Inmate Phone Call Bill Advances

A bill to make prison phone calls free moves forward with strong support from families.

READ MORE

Advocates rally for passage of a bill that would make prison phone calls free

Advocates urged lawmakers to pass a bill ending phone call fees for incarcerated people.

READ MORE

Bill that would make prison phone calls free sent to the House

A proposal to end prison phone call fees advanced to the Connecticut House of Representatives.

READ MORE

Elizabeth Warren weighs in on Connecticut prison-call debate

Sen. Elizabeth Warren endorsed Connecticut’s push to make prison calls free for inmates.

READ MORE

While Prisoners Struggle to Afford Calls to Their Families, States Are Making a Profit. This Must Stop Now

Connecticut charges some of the nation’s highest prison phone rates, sparking calls for reform.

READ MORE

Connecticut Governor Is Stonewalling Free Prison Calls Bill

Gov. Ned Lamont faced criticism for stalling a bill that would make prison calls free statewide.

READ MORE

Connecticut considers making phone calls free for prisoners

Lawmakers are weighing a bill to make prison phone calls free, easing costs on families.

READ MORE

Connecticut Legislators Push For Free Prison Phone Calls

Advocates highlight the burden of costly prison calls and urge legislators to make them free.

READ MORE

The difference a visit can make, the effect of parental incarceration on children

Research shows prison visits can ease trauma for children of incarcerated parents.

READ MORE

Interview with the CIP Initiative’s Program Manager, Aileen Keays Yeager on WTIC’s At Home in Connecticut

Aileen Keays Yeager discussed CIP’s new interactive site and the challenges faced by families of the incarcerated.

READ MORE

A hard look at what prison means for the kids left behind

One in 14 U.S. children has had a parent in prison, leaving lasting social and emotional impacts.

READ MORE

New Connecticut Report Focuses on Children of Incarcerated Parents

A new report highlights the challenges children face when parents are incarcerated in Connecticut.

READ MORE

Camp Helps Prisoners’ Kids Cope

A summer camp in New Haven helps children of incarcerated parents find support and community.

READ MORE

Connecticut official wants prison nursery for new moms

A Connecticut official is calling for prison nurseries so mothers can stay with newborns after birth.

READ MORE
Senate

Gov. Newsom Signs SB 394, creating a diversion court for parents

California’s new SB 394 creates a special court to support parents at risk of incarceration.

New Britain Herald

CCSU initiative helps kids with parents behind bars

A CCSU program supports children dealing with the stigma and struggles of having an incarcerated parent.

Trauma Matter

How Incarceration Effects the Children Left Behind and What You Can Do To Support Them

Experts stress that kids separated from parents by incarceration face lasting emotional and social challenges.

Contact Us

University of Connecticut
Institute for Municipal & Regional Policy

School of Public Policy
Hartford Times Building, Suite 443
10 Prospect Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06103

ctcip@uconn.edu

Quick Links

IMRP Website
Contact Us

 

Chip created by Jim Soyka