Cheshire, CT Manson Youth Institution View
The Manson Youth Institution is a level 4 high-security facility. It serves as the Department's primary location for housing sentenced inmates under the age of 21. Recognizing the need to educate youth, staff provide a climate, which enhances inmate social skills, while reinforcing ethics, attitude and behavior valued by productive law-abiding citizens. The Manson Youth Institution houses male offenders ranging in age from 14 to 21 in ten separate buildings, each with three wings containing 12 cells, a day room, counselor offices and mini kitchen. As the states' only facility for male youth, it houses chronic disciplinary inmates, close custody program, mental health, high security and general population inmates who are involved in a wide variety of programs including educational, vocational and addiction services. In response to an increase in young population, a youthful offender mentoring program was established. Emphasis is placed on development of positive peer relationships, understanding criminal culture, substance abuse, basic life skills, employment counseling and release planning. The facility is named in honor of John R. Manson, the Department's second Commissioner who served from 1971-1983. He also served as Deputy Commissioner from 1968-1971.