Address:
Hartford Correctional Center
177 Weston Street
Hartford, CT 06120
Phone:
959-200-3000
However if you don't want to use a bail bond agent:
Call 959-200-3000 to find out the exact bond (plus other fees) amount, or look it up online by looking up the information on the Hartford County inmate locator.
Bail is what the arrested in Hartford County must pay or do to stay out of jail until the first court appearance.
The agreement to bail acts as a promise that the arrested will return to court for court dates and trial. Bail usually refers to a dollar amount, but bail can also mean something that has to be done, or a condition such as reporting to an officer of the court, a curfew, restraining orders or attending a treatment program.
Bail is usually a significant enough amount of money and/or condition that the person will be negatively impacted and has incentive to return to court and not flee. A flight risk usually means that the person would flee the area, and not necessary that they are going to take an airplane.
If a judge in Hartford County feels that the arrested will return to court for further proceedings, the arrested could be released under a conditional release without needing to pay bail money. This is called Released on Own Recognizance, or ROR.
Conditions for ROR might be to obey all court orders and laws, maintain contact with the lawyer, report changes in residence or have no contact with the victim. Family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
If the judge or bail schedule determines that the defendant would be a danger to the public if they were released, bail can be denied, and the person will be detained in the Hartford Correctional Center until the case is resolved or goes to trial.
Bail can be denied if the defendant did not comply with bail conditions from a previous arrest. Bail is usually denied in cases of violent offenses.
Bail and bond are used interchangeably to mean the same thing but technically, they are different. The bail is the amount to be paid and a bond is a signed document promising payment of the bail amount with certain conditions. Think of a bond as a loan to pay for the bail.
The bond payment is always written to the court in your municipality, Hartford County or district directly and does not go through the defendant. Chances of obtaining a bond from a bond company or clerk of court are better if family is involved.
The thought of being in jail can cause the arrested to panic and try to secure a bond immediately.
DO NOT panic and take the time to understand all the options.
More courts are now trying to work with defendants to make bail work and might provide non-monetary options or even reduce the bail.
Payments to a bond company are not refundable. It is a long process to get back property title or money that was given to the clerk of court or bondsperson to secure the bond. This could put your loved ones into a difficult financial situation.
Another reason not to unnecessarily rush into securing a bond is that if the court notes that you came up with the money to pay a bond company, they may assume you have resources to pay a defense attorney and decline public defense.
On the other hand, as anyone who has ever been involved in their criminal defense understands, fighting your case while ‘out on the streets’ gives you a much better chance of either winning, or getting a more favorable sentence.
Based on a review of information from the arrest, the judge or bail officer will determine and notify the accused of which types of bonds are available to them.
To describe the types of bonds, let’s use an example of buying your neighbor’s car. Your neighbor decides the price of the car and how they would be paid. Similarly, the court (meaning a police or bail officer, clerk of court, bail magistrate or judge) determines the bail amount and how it would be paid.
Here are different options that the seller of the car or the court might consider:
You could pay full asking price for the car in cash. This is similar to paying cash bail. The full amount of bail would be paid to the town or county clerk or at the jail. Cash, cashier’s checks and credit cards are usually accepted.
You could sign an agreement on your own or with another person to pay for the car at a future date knowing that your neighbor would know where to find you if you stopped payment. This would be similar to a cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond which are bonds to where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible for making sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up.
Surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
You can put a deposit down for your neighbor’s car and sign an agreement that the car will be paid off at a later date. Cash percentage in lieu of bonds is when the defendant pays a percentage of the bail amount, usually 10%, to the court which then holds the money until the case is over.
In Connecticut, if the bail is set for $20,000 or less, the defendant can automatically be allowed to pay 10% to the court or police department unless the judge determines that the bond would not be available to a particular defendant.
The amount is returned to the person who paid the 10% after the case is over. In most cases, the full amount is not returned if there are court fees or fines due. This is a type of surety bond if another person signs the bond paperwork.
You could sign an agreement that if the car were not paid off, that your neighbor would get your house or something of value.
A property bond is a bond that the courts might consider in which the bond is pledged in land or home real estate (mobile homes are not accepted).
Usually, the property must be in the same state as the courts, and it must be worth at least 1 ½ - 2 times the amount of the bond.
There are multiple court fees involved to execute a property bond with the courts and a tedious process to get the property deed back. This is another type of surety bond if another person or a bond company is used to secure the bond.
You could also go to a local bank and take out a car loan offering property or anything of value for collateral. You may get someone to co-sign on the loan and offer their property. The bank charges fees, interest and could keep your property if you did not pay the loan back, or even on time.
A professional bondsperson makes money, at least 10% of the bond amount by providing you with a “loan” called a bond. The percent that they charge is fixed by the state and cannot be negotiated. The defendant or surety does not get that 10% or more back even if the terms of the bail are met.
With a property bond, the property deed would need to be signed over to the bondsperson and everyone on the deed would need to be involved.
Since the bondsperson signed off, to be responsible that you show to court as your surety, they can send a bounty hunter to bring you to court if you flee. A bondsperson does not have to give you a bond if the defendant seems to be too much of a risk.
Ask the bondsperson to explain all the costs: percentage, fees or court fees. There is never a reason to rush through signing the paperwork with a bond company. Make sure that everything told to you is in writing and that you understand what you are signing. Ask questions, and if you feel rushed or don’t understand the contract with the bond company, you might want to call another one.
(There have been phone scams where a bond company calls and informs a person that their family member has been arrested and they ask for financial information. A bondsperson will not call asking for money without involvement of the arrested.)
Yes, Connecticut is a bail state and Hartford County recognizes the bail system.
Hartford County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest.
In Connecticut, if the bail is set for $20,000 or less, the defendant can automatically be allowed to pay 10% to the court or police department unless the judge determines that the bond would not be available to a particular defendant.
Police set the bail amount at the time of arrest. If the arrested cannot pay the bail amount, the bail staff is contacted, and bail amounts and conditions are re-considered. If bail is denied as in violent offender arrests, bail will be set at the arraignment by the court judge.
Bail is set at the time of the arrest and booking by police. If the crime was serious enough, then the arrested will remain in jail until the arraignment is heard at court and the judge will set the bail.
Yes, bail can be reduced by an officer of pre-trial services or at the arraignment if the bail was already set.
The person posting bail should be a relative or close friend, called a surety, because they are promising and taking responsibility that you will return to court to get their money back.
A surety is not responsible for court fees or paying off personal debts for the defendant. A professional bondsperson who is approved by the State of Connecticut could be the surety and execute a bond to the court on your behalf.
Yes, once the arrested is entered into the system, bail can be easily paid online. Please contact the jail for specific information on how to pay bail. Go to the Hartford Correctional Center for more information about the jails in Hartford County.
Bail can be paid at the police station or court. Most jail and courts accept cash, a cashier or bankers’ check. Some accept a credit card with fees.
Please contact the jail for specific information on what methods of payment are accepted. Go to the for more information about posting bail in Hartford County.
In Connecticut, if the bail is set for $20,000 or less, the defendant can automatically be allowed to pay 10% to the court or police department unless the judge determines that the bond would not be available to a particular defendant.
In general, bail money is returned to the person who paid the bail; in whole or in part once the case is finished. There may be fees, restitution (money to pay for damage caused by the crime) or fines that come out of that amount.
If you used a bondsperson, you would not get your 7% or 10% back. Property may be returned by the bondsperson after the appropriate requests and formal paperwork are completed with the court.
It would be difficult to get a bond without money down in Connecticut. Pre-trial services can be consulted to find alternative methods of paying the bail without money down.
The judge or officer who sets bail determines which kind of bail will be an option for you, but a cash bond and PR bonds usually do not require cash down, though you might have to pay court fees.
A cash bond or a personal recognizance (PR) bond are bonds where someone representing the defendant signs paperwork promising to pay the bail amount if the defendant does not show up to court. There is no money due up front.
If the defendant does not show up, the full amount of the bail will be due to the court and the people who signed the paperwork will be responsible for paying the court and the court will send the sheriff’s department to arrest you.
Cash bonds and PR bonds are types of unsecured bonds because you are not securing it with any money down. In bond terms, a surety is a person who will be responsible to make sure that you will show to court and will be responsible to pay the bond if the arrested person does not show up. A surety can be family, friend or a bondsperson. Your attorney cannot act as a surety.
The jail or court can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies in Hartford County but they cannot recommend a specific company.
A bondsperson can only charge 10% up to $5000 and 7% for over $5000. The value and type of property required by the bondsperson might vary.
There is never a reason to rush through signing the paperwork with a bond company. Make sure that everything told to you is in writing and that you understand what you are signing. Ask questions, and if you feel rushed or don’t understand the contract with the bond company, you might want to call another one.
The Hartford Correctional Center or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies, but they cannot recommend a specific company.
Please call the jail at 959-200-3000 for the type of bond and any information that is required for a particular individual at Hartford Correctional Center.
A bond is set according to a court-approved schedule.
The purpose of the bond is to assure the offender's appearance in court.
Because Hartford County and Connecticut can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Hartford Correctional Center at 959-200-3000 , or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, right after an arrestee has been booked.
Ask the staff at the Hartford Correctional Center or the Hartford County Court Clerk these specific questions:
If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released.
This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.
Option 1 - How to Post Bail using Cash for a Defendant at Hartford Correctional Center
The first option, a cash bond, is to pay the full bail amount in cash, cashier's check, or money order. Personal Checks are not accepted.
Depending on the crime, this amount could be anywhere from $100 to $75,000 or more.
To pay a cash bond, go to Hartford Correctional Center or to the court where the bail hearing occurred. Going directly to the jail will quicken the release of the defendant as any bail paperwork processed at the court will have to be transferred to the jail.
Cashier's Checks and Money Orders may be made out to Hartford Correctional Center where the defendant is being held, but usually to the Hartford County Sheriff's Office or to the Hartford County Court.
To purchase money orders visit any Western Union, Moneygram or Post Office.
Option 2 - How to Post a Private or Surety Bond for a Defendant at Hartford Correctional Center
In the event that someone does not have the full bond amount available to him or her, there is what is called a private bond or surety bond.
This is an agreement made with a bail agent or bondsman who will post the full bail amount. In return, the defendant and/or cosigner will pay a premium to the bail agent. This premium will be 10-15% of the full bail amount.
For example, if bail is posted at $5,000, then the premium will cost approximately $500-$750.
A bail agent will often require some form of collateral, for example, a lien on a house, a car or jewelry. This is to ensure that if the defendant skips bail, or does not appear in court, the bail agent has some sort of compensation for the full bail amount being paid.
Remember, by making an agreement with a bail agent the signatory takes responsibility for paying the full bail amount if the defendant does not appear in court.
Option 3 - How to Post a Property Bond for a Defendant at Hartford Correctional Center
If you are a landowner in Hartford County you may be able to post a property bond. Property within Hartford County may be used as collateral to bail someone out. All owners of the property must be present to sign the bond in order for this to happen.
To find if property located outside of Hartford County can be used as collateral, call a local bail or bond agent or contact a defense lawyer.
Click here for additional information on how to post bail at Hartford Correctional Center.
Anyone over the age of 18 who can produce a valid government-issued photo ID can post bail. Accepted forms of ID include a Photo Driver's License, Passport, or Motor Vehicle issued ID.
In many circumstances, if the defendant has the resources, they can post their own cash bail from jail.
Surety Bonds are arranged by a third party, typically a Connecticut state licensed Bail Bond firm.
Juveniles may only be bailed or bonded out of custody by a parent or legal guardian.
Money or collateral will not be returned until the defendant's court case is finished, so realistically it could take several months to years, depending on the severity of the charges. If a defendant posts his or her own bail, Hartford County Court may retain whatever amount of fines or fees have accumulated throughout the trial.
The Hartford County Judge may order a failure to appear warrant for the person's arrest or the Judge may order a Bail Commissioner's Letter be issued that will be sent to the person with a new court date.
If cash bail was paid, the entire amount may be forfeited.
Video Visitation is done using Microsoft Teams Group Chat Software.
To rent a tablet for an inmate in Hartford County follow these instructions:
If you have any questions:
For all Hartford County information on Tablet Rentals for your inmate, check out our Tablet Rental Page.
There are four ways to deposit money in an inmate's account in the Connecticut State Department of Correction:
In order to do any of these you need to know the exact name the inmate is incarcerated under, and their Inmate ID#.
If you can't find the inmate and booking number online, call the Trust Fund Office at 860-692-7670.
1. Hartford Correctional Center and JPAY.
2. Hartford Correctional Center and Western Union.
First, you need to know the exact spelling of the inmate's name and inmates ID #
You also need to know these codes.
Codes:
Pay to: CONNECTICUT DOC
Code City: CTDOC
State: CT
Senders Account #: Inmate Number + Last Name (ex: 00123456SMITH)
Attention: Leave this blank
Western Union Facilities -
Deposit funds in-person at Western Union.
Codes:
Pay to: CONNECTICUT DOC
Code City: CTDOC
State: CT
Senders Account #: Inmate Number + Last Name (ex: 00123456SMITH)
Attention: Leave this blank
3. Hartford Correctional Center and Touchpay
Options for putting money in an inmate's account:
Option 1 - Dropping Money at one of the prisons:
Bring money to the following prisons in person.
Hartford
177 Weston Street
Hartford, CT
Chesire
900 Highland Avenue
Chesire, CT
York
201 West Main Street
Niantic, CT
You will use a Touchpay self-serve kiosk in the lobbies that accepts cash, debit or credit cards.
Option 2 - Deposit Inmate Money Online
Option 3 - Make an Inmate Deposit over the Phone by calling Touchpay at 866-232-1899.
To do this you will need the inmate's offender # (inmate ID #), full legal name, and Facility Locator Number. Call 959-200-3000 to get the Facility Locator Number.
4. Hartford Correctional Center and Mailing a Payment
When sending an inmate money by mail, the Hartford Correctional Center will only accept:
**Important Notes**
Mailing Address:
Inmate Trust Fund
P.O. Box 290800
Wethersfield, CT 06129-0800
Funds are only accepted from the following sources:
Rules Regarding Picking up Money When an Inmate is Released from the Hartford Correctional Center
Final Check Request: Former inmates may request a check for their remaining funds by completing a Request for Account Balance Form and mailing it to:
Inmate Trust Fund
24 Wolcott Hill Rd.
Wethersfield, CT 06109
If you have any questions, call the Trust/Finance Office at 860-692-7670
For inmates receiving mail in the Hartford Correctional Center there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.
All mail is to be shipped to the Hartford Correctional Center:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate #
Hartford Correctional Center
177 Weston Street
Hartford, CT 06120
For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.
Because Hartford County and Connecticut can change their bail bond procedures, it is always best to call either the Hartford Correctional Center at 959-200-3000 , or the court in the jurisdiction (i.e. Municipal Court, District Court, etc.) where the offender was charged, and do this right after an arrestee has been booked.
Ask the staff at the Hartford Correctional Center or the Hartford County Court Clerk these specific questions:
If you feel the bail is too high and you wish to get it reduced, contact a lawyer or the defendant's public defender and get them to look into what they can do to get a bail reduction. The sooner you get working on this the quicker you will get your loved one released.
This entire process will go smoother and faster with a criminal attorney or bail agent handling it for you.
To set up a phone account so that your inmate can call you from Hartford County do the following:
1. Enroll in an account with Securus Technologies.
2. Choose one of three account types, Securus Debit, Advance Connect or Direct Bill.
3. Choose [facility_name_1}, then connect with your inmate.
4. If you have any questions, call Securus: 972-734-1111 or 800-844-6591.
To find out fees, how to's, calling times, limits on phone calls and other systems Securus has do that you can communicate with your Hartford County inmate, check out our Inmate Phone Page.
NOTE: All of your inmate's phone calls are recorded and stored. It is advised not to discuss their pending case.
To send a text or email message to a Hartford County inmate, do the following:
Hartford Correctional Center uses Securus eMessaging for Inmate Email.
Register here. (You are already registered if you signed up with Securus for 'Phone' or 'Remote Visitation' in Hartford County or any jail or prison in the country).
Steps:
1. Sign up for eMessaging
2. Find your Hartford County inmate.
3. Purchase a book of Securus ‘stamps’.
4. Type & Send message.
For all Hartford County information for sending secure messages to an inmate in Hartford Correctional Center, including instructions, video examples, fees, limits, tablet rentals and more, check out out Text/Email an Inmate Page.
