Manson Youth Institution

Address: 42 Jarvis Street
Cheshire, CT 06410
Directions.
Manson YI Entrance
Phone: (203) 806-2500
Fax: (203) 699-1845
Security: Level 4
Warden: Derrick Molden                                                          
Deputy Wardens:
Eulalia Garcia
Cynthia Scarmozzino

Visiting Information:

Visiting Schedule (PDF, 139 KB).

Cancellations:  NO SOCIAL VISITS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Population Information:

See data available regarding Connecticut Department of Correction's supervised population.

General Information:

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.

Present staffing: 283.

Listing of the inmate programs available at this facility (PDF, 565 KB).

PREA Auditor's Summary Report (PDF, 383 KB).

PREA Final Report 2018 (PDF, 908 KB).

History:

The Manson Youth Institution formerly known as the Cheshire Youth Institution opened on October 12, 1982 as a level 4 facility with a population of 360 male offenders, ages 16 to 21 situated on 76 acres.

On September 17, 1985 the facility was rededicated as the John R. Manson Youth Institution in honor of the late Commissioner John R. Manson.

In January of 1986 the facility saw a beginning of doubling of cells, completed on December 1, 1988.

In 1994 a 155,000 square foot H.E.T. (Health Education & Training) building opened, containing 22 classrooms, a library, vocational education programming, a full-sized gymnasium, a chapel, mental health and medical facilities, a full production kitchen, a laundry and a warehouse.

List of past wardens:

1982-1984 James L. Singer
1984-1990 Michael B. Bonzagni
1990-1992 John J. Armstrong
1992-1997 Robert E. Ronne
1997-1999 Evelyn B. Bush
1999-2001 Sandra A. Sawicki
2001-2003 Mary M. Marcial
2003-2006 Moises Gonzalez
2006-2009 Christine Whidden
2009-2011 Jose Feliciano
2011-2018 John Alves
2018-2019 Kenneth Butricks