The New Hampshire State Prison for Women is a correctional facility located in Concord, New Hampshire. It is the only state prison in New Hampshire that is exclusively for female inmates. The facility was established in 1987 and has a capacity of 224 inmates.
The prison provides a range of programs and services to help female inmates prepare for their release and reentry into society. These include educational programs, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. In addition, the facility has a Family Connections Center that provides support services for inmates and their families. The center offers parenting classes, family counseling, and other resources to help inmates maintain healthy relationships with their children and other loved ones.
| Security | Mixed |
| Capacity | 224 |
| Physical Address | 42 Perimeter Rd Concord, NH 03301 |
| Mailing Address | 42 Perimeter Rd Concord, NH 03301 |
| Can You Send a Gift? | No |
| Visitation Hours | Depends on the Unit |
| Dress Code | Yes |
| Phone Number | (603)271-0200 |
| Jurisdiction | State |
History
The New Hampshire State Prison for Women has a long and complex history that spans over a century. The prison was established in 1878, and until 1941, female inmates were housed in Concord in the South Wing of the new building. In 1941, the legislature authorized the transfer of female prisoners to the Goffstown facility, which was designed specifically for them.
The facility has been through several changes since its inception. In 1987, a lawsuit was filed against the state for violating the plaintiffs’ right to equal protection of the law. The lawsuit resulted in the implementation of programs and treatment services provided to inmates who are incarcerated in the DOC.
Over the years, the facility has had several wardens. Edda S. Cantor was the first warden of the facility, serving from 1988 to 1994. Jane A. Coplan served as the warden from 1994 to 2003. She was succeeded by Joanne Fortier, who served as the warden from 2003 to 2012. The current warden is Nicole Plante, who was confirmed in May 2020 through a unanimous vote of the NH Governor and Executive Council.
The facility has had a significant impact on the state of New Hampshire and the United States as a whole. It has been the subject of numerous studies and has been recognized for its innovative programs and services. The facility continues to be a vital part of the state’s criminal justice system, providing a safe and secure environment for female inmates while also offering them the tools and resources they need to successfully reintegrate into society.
Facilities
The New Hampshire State Prison for Women, also known as the NH Correctional Facility for Women, is located in Concord, NH. The facility has a capacity of 224 inmates and is responsible for the custody, care, and treatment of female offenders in the state.
Transitional Work Center
The Corrections Transitional Work Center and North End Transitional Housing Unit, both located in Concord, provide inmates with the opportunity to work and earn money while serving their sentences. These facilities are designed to help inmates transition back into society by providing them with job skills and work experience.
Health Services Unit
The Health Services Unit at the facility provides inmates with medical and mental health care. The unit is staffed by medical professionals who are trained to treat a wide range of health issues, including chronic illnesses, mental health disorders, and substance abuse.
Educational Area
The facility also has an educational area that provides inmates with access to a variety of educational programs. These programs include adult basic education, high school equivalency preparation, vocational training, and college courses.
The facility also has a Correctional Industries space where inmates can work and earn money while serving their sentences. The Family Connections Center, located in all three of the state prisons, provides family support services at each of the associated minimum-security units.
Overall, the New Hampshire State Prison for Women provides a range of facilities and programs designed to help inmates successfully re-enter society upon their release.
Programming and Treatment Opportunities
The New Hampshire State Prison for Women offers a variety of programming and treatment opportunities to help inmates prepare for re-entry into society. These opportunities include:
Education and Job Training
The Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) provides classroom and on-the-job laboratory training to enhance skills in several employment areas. Certificates are awarded for successful completion, with program length ranging from one to two years. This training can help inmates obtain job skills and certifications that will be useful upon release.
Substance Abuse Treatment
The New Hampshire State Prison for Women offers a comprehensive, in-prison, residential substance abuse treatment program designed for incarcerated women. The program is rated as promising and has been shown to reduce recidivism rates among participants.
Mental Health Treatment
The prison offers mental health treatment for inmates who need it. This includes individual and group therapy, medication management, and crisis intervention services. The goal of mental health treatment is to help inmates manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being.
Family Connection Center
The Family Connections Center provides family support services to inmates and their families. This includes parenting classes, family counseling, and visitation services. The center is located in all three of the New Hampshire State prisons and provides family support services at each of the associated minimum-security units.
Overall, the New Hampshire State Prison for Women provides a range of programming and treatment opportunities to help inmates prepare for re-entry into society. These opportunities are designed to help inmates develop skills, manage their mental health, and maintain connections with their families.
Inmate Life
Inmates at the New Hampshire State Prison for Women have access to various services and resources to help them during their incarceration. This section will cover the different aspects of inmate life, including inmate locator, inmate mail, visiting hours, educational area, family connections center, technology, and dress code.
Inmate Locator
The New Hampshire Department of Corrections provides an online inmate locator tool that allows the public to search for inmates in the state’s correctional facilities. The tool provides information on the inmate’s name, age, gender, and location, as well as their offense and sentence information. The tool can be accessed through the department’s website.
Inmate Mail
Inmates at the New Hampshire State Prison for Women can receive mail from their friends and family members. All incoming mail must be sent to the inmate’s mailing address, which can be found on the department’s website. Inmates are allowed to send and receive letters, cards, and photographs, but they are not allowed to receive packages.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours at the New Hampshire State Prison for Women vary depending on the inmate’s housing unit. Visitors must be on the inmate’s approved visitor list and are subject to a background check. All visitors must follow the dress code and other rules and regulations of the facility.
- Tuesday
- 7:15 am – 9:45 am – C4
- 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm – C2
- 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – C3
- Thursday
- 7:15 am – 9:45 am – C5
- 10:00 am – 12:30 pm – RD
- 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – WB
- Saturday
- 7:15 am – 9:45 am – C3
- 10:00 am – 12:30 pm – C4
- 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm – WB
- 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – C2
Educational Area
The New Hampshire State Prison for Women offers educational programs to inmates, including adult basic education, high school equivalency, and vocational training. The educational area is equipped with computers and other resources to support the inmates’ learning.
Family Connections Center
The Family Connections Center is a family support program that provides services to inmates and their families. The program offers counseling, parenting classes, and other resources to help families stay connected during the inmate’s incarceration.
Technology
Inmates at the New Hampshire State Prison for Women have access to technology, including computers and tablets, to support their education and communication with their families. However, access to technology is limited and monitored to ensure the safety and security of the facility.
Dress Code
Inmates at the New Hampshire State Prison for Women must follow a dress code that includes wearing a uniform and adhering to specific guidelines on clothing and personal grooming. The dress code is designed to promote safety and security within the facility.
Overall, the New Hampshire State Prison for Women provides various resources and services to support inmates during their incarceration. From education and technology to family support and communication, the facility strives to promote rehabilitation and successful reentry into society.
Rules and Regulations
The New Hampshire State Prison for Women has strict rules and regulations in place to ensure the safety and security of both inmates and facility staff. These rules cover various aspects of life in prison, including behavior, personal property, and visitation.
Inmates are required to follow all rules and regulations set forth by the prison, failure to do so may result in disciplinary action. Some of the key rules include:
- Inmates must comply with all staff orders and directives.
- Inmates must keep their living areas clean and tidy.
- Inmates are not allowed to possess any contraband, including drugs, weapons, and cell phones.
- Inmates are required to attend all scheduled programs and activities.
- Inmates are not allowed to engage in any form of physical or verbal harassment or abuse.
The prison also has regulations in place regarding personal property. Inmates are allowed to possess certain items, such as clothing and hygiene products, but there are limits on the amount of personal property that can be kept in their cells.
Visitation is also regulated, with strict rules in place to ensure the safety and security of both visitors and inmates. Visitors are required to go through a screening process before being allowed to enter the prison, and there are restrictions on the types of items that can be brought in.
Overall, the rules and regulations at the New Hampshire State Prison for Women are designed to maintain a safe and secure environment for all those involved. Inmates are expected to follow these rules at all times, and failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
Difference between NH State Prison for Women and NH State Prison for Men
The New Hampshire Department of Corrections operates two prisons in the state: the NH State Prison for Women and the NH State Prison for Men. While both facilities share similarities, there are also noticeable differences between them.
Population
The most obvious difference between the two prisons is the gender of the inmates. The NH State Prison for Women houses only female inmates, while the NH State Prison for Men houses only male inmates. The NH State Prison for Women has a capacity of 224 inmates, while the NH State Prison for Men has a capacity of 1,408 inmates.
Programs and Services
Both facilities offer a range of programs and services to inmates, including education, vocational training, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. However, the NH State Prison for Women offers some programs that are not available at the NH State Prison for Men, such as a parenting program and a program that allows inmates to keep their newborns with them for a limited time.
Staffing
The NH State Prison for Women has a smaller staff than the NH State Prison for Men, reflecting the smaller size of the facility. However, both prisons are staffed by correctional officers, medical staff, and administrative personnel.
Location
The NH State Prison for Women is located in Concord, while the NH State Prison for Men is located in Concord as well. The two facilities are located relatively close to each other, with the NH State Prison for Women being located on the same road as the NH State Prison for Men.
In summary, while both the NH State Prison for Women and the NH State Prison for Men share similarities, there are noticeable differences between the two facilities in terms of population, security level, programs and services, staffing, and location.
Release and Parole
When an inmate at the New Hampshire State Prison for Women is approaching the end of their sentence, they may be eligible for release or parole. The decision to grant release or parole is made by the Adult Parole Board.
Release
Inmates who have served their full sentence or who are eligible for early release may be considered for release. The decision to release an inmate is based on a number of factors, including the nature of the crime, the inmate’s behavior while in prison, and their potential for successful reintegration into society.
Before an inmate is released, they may be required to participate in programs designed to help them transition back into the community, such as job training or substance abuse treatment.
Parole
Inmates who are not eligible for release may be considered for parole. Parole is a form of supervised release that allows an inmate to serve the remainder of their sentence in the community under the supervision of a parole officer.
Before granting parole, the Adult Parole Board considers a variety of factors, including the inmate’s behavior while in prison, their potential for successful reintegration into society, and the safety of the community. If parole is granted, the inmate must comply with a set of conditions, such as attending counseling or maintaining employment.
If an inmate violates the conditions of their parole, they may be returned to prison to serve the remainder of their sentence.
Overall, the decision to grant release or parole is made on a case-by-case basis and is designed to balance the needs of the inmate with the safety of the community.