OCA Report - From Trauma to Tragedy: CT Girls in Adult Prison, July 2008

Over the past two years, the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) conducted weekly site visits, monitored case conferences, and met extensively with DCF and DOC leadership to examine the conditions at York Correctional Institution (YCI), Connecticut's only prison for adult women. During this time, nearly 250 girls ages 15 - 18 who were tried in the adult criminal system spent time at YCI, which is a maximum security prison. OCA found that YCI cannot meet the unique needs of adolescent girls and that girls in Connecticut require an alternative to YCI. The full report detailing the conditions, problems, and recommendations for reform at YCI can be found at: http://www.ct.gov/oca/lib/oca/From_Tauma_to_Tragedy_CT_-_Girls_in_Adult_Prison_7-08.pdf