Reps. Zupkus and Adinolfi See Legislative Approval of Cheshire Prison Legislation

HARTFORD—A bill co-sponsored by state Reps. Al Adinolfi and Lezlye Zupkus that would allow the Town of Cheshire to seek an amendment to a Department of Correction prison complex contract has been approved by the state legislature. The Department of Correction complex, along Route 10, has three buildings and is the second largest prison complex in the State of Connecticut. Local officials contend that that much has changed since the town’s 1990 contract with the state agency was signed and that it’s crucial the two parties revisit that contract to tackle the increasing demands the facility has on Cheshire.

The town has been trying to renegotiate its contract with DOC for several years, and it also wants DOC to pay a share of a $32 million sewage plant upgrade.

The legislation, H.B. 6587, was previously approved in the House of Representatives in mid-May and approved in the State Senate on Friday evening.

“This is great news for the Town of Cheshire, which has a DOC contract that’s unlike those enjoyed by other Connecticut communities with prisons,” said Adinolfi, a longtime legislative advocate for the town in its efforts to tweak its deal with the state agency.

Adinolfi worked with bill co-sponsor state Rep. Mary Fritz, who also represents Cheshire, to shepherd the bill through the Judiciary Committee and to the House floor for a May 15 vote.

Unlike other towns with prisons, Cheshire’s existing contract doesn’t allow for amendments.

“Simply put, this effort was about equality—to provide Cheshire with the same options as similarly-situated communities,” Zupkus said.

Cheshire’s agreement with the DOC has daily flow permitted at 350,000 gallons per day, but the complex’s daily flow has averaged more than 450,000 gallon per day.

The bill awaits signature from the governor.