Over the past few years, the CTCIP Initiative has partnered with the Connecticut Department of Correction to enhance family engagement through the renovation of child-friendly visiting areas.

These efforts include the creation of the first outdoor playground at a Connecticut correctional facility, and possibly the first in New England, at York Correctional Institution, as well as improvements at multiple facilities including MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution, Cybulski Correctional Institution, and Manson Youth Institution.

We’ve transformed visiting spaces with colorful furniture, books, toys, and activity areas, helping children feel more comfortable and encouraging meaningful connection and play during family visits.

CTCIP partnered with the Connecticut Departments of Children and Families (DCF) and CTDOC on a three-year federal grant (ended in June 2025) from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to support families affected by incarceration.

Through the Strengthening Families Together project provided parenting education, mentoring, and reentry support for families during a father-figure’s transition from incarceration to community life.

CTCIP also enhanced child-friendly visiting spaces, delivered technical assistance, and developed shared tools to help DCF and statewide providers strengthen and evaluate fatherhood engagement services.