OLR Report 2012-R-0453 summarizes the laws regarding siting prisons and other correctional facilities. While there is no specific statutory process, there are some requirements that apply to particular types of facilities or locations. For example, 2010 legislation required the Department of Correction (DOC) and the Judicial Branch's Court Support Services Division to establish site evaluation criteria for evaluating proposals for a facility housing beds for sex offenders returning to the community. Another statute (CGS § 18-87l) bars the New Haven Armory from being used to house prisoners.
According to DOC, the decision on where to locate a correctional facility would be a multi-agency effort, involving input from the departments of correction, administrative services, and construction services; the Office of Policy and Management; and the governor's office. They would work together to find a suitable location. One of the principal challenges would be finding a community willing to host a facility.
For more information, read the full report.
