York Correctional Institution Inmate Bail & Bonds
York Correctional Institution bail and bond: what families need to do
Women arrested anywhere in Connecticut can end up at York Correctional Institution, 201 West Main Street, Niantic. It is the state's only prison for women, and it holds both sentenced and accused women. To see whether a woman is inside, use the York Correctional Institution Inmate Search. Bail applies only to the accused, and the court that holds her case decides the terms.
Is she being held at York right now?
Run her name through the York Correctional Institution Inmate Search. The record shows whether she is listed as sentenced or accused. Accused means she has not been convicted. A very new booking may not show yet, so try again later.
For anything the search leaves out, call (860) 451-3001. Immigration detainees and youthful offender cases do not appear in the search.
Do women at York still have a chance to post bail?
Yes, for many. A state report dated August 1, 2026 counted 364 accused women and 493 sentenced women at York. The accused group is the one where bail can matter.
A sentenced woman has already been through court, and bail does not release her. Her lawyer can explain an appeal or a sentence review.
Why is she in Niantic if we live hours away?
York is the only Connecticut prison for women. The state lists it as serving every superior court. A woman arrested in Stamford, Waterbury, or Windham is sent here when a judge orders her held.
So her courthouse may be far from the prison. Pay bail through that court's clerk or a bondsman, not by driving to Niantic first.
Who decides how much bail she must post?
Three people can set terms, one after another. Police can release her from the station on a promise to appear or a bond. After that, a bail commissioner interviews her. The Judicial Branch says commissioners work every day from 6 PM to 4:30 AM. Its Court Support Services Division, which oversees them, answers at (860) 368-3800; ask for pretrial services. A judge then sets or changes terms at arraignment.
The law tells each of them to choose the mildest option that works, in this order: a promise to appear, a promise with conditions, a bond with no surety, then a bond with a surety. The amount must be no larger than necessary.
What forms of release does a judge have to consider?
A promise to appear costs nothing. A non-surety bond means she promises to pay if she skips court, with no money up front. A surety bond means a licensed bondsman guarantees the amount, and a judge may not forbid one.
Cash is a fourth route. Someone can deposit the full bond amount with the court clerk. Connecticut also bars "cash only" bonds, according to a 2018 state policy memo. A 10 percent deposit happens only if a judge orders it.
What have real Connecticut bonds looked like lately?
Connecticut has no statewide bail schedule, so these are single cases, not a price list. The source is Patch.com, which prints police blotters for the towns of Wallingford and Bethel. Charges are only accusations, and the reports do not say who set each amount.
A person arrested August 28, 2026 for drunk driving was released after posting $1,500, per a Wallingford blotter published September 18, 2026. Another, arrested August 27 on a first-offense drug count, a weapon in a vehicle, and paraphernalia, posted $10,000 in that same report. A Bethel blotter published February 20, 2024 says a person arrested February 10 on drunk-driving and related counts was issued a $1,000 bond. That one is older, so today's amounts may differ.
Where do I take the money?
Cash goes to the clerk of the court holding her case. Niantic sits in the New London court district, whose courthouses are at 112 Broad Street, clerk (860) 443-8343, and 70 Huntington Street, clerk (860) 443-5363. One state page spells that address differently, so phone before you drive. Norwich is at 1 Courthouse Square, (860) 889-7338.
Her case may sit elsewhere. Hartford is at 101 Lafayette Street, (860) 566-1630; New Haven at 121 Elm Street, (203) 789-7461; Bridgeport at 172 Golden Hill Street, (203) 579-6560. These numbers come from an undated state listing. Police stations take bonds in some cases, and a licensed bondsman works from his own office.
If she is already inside York, DOC Administrative Directive 4.3, section 8.A, covers release to bond. Staff check her record for detainers, and bond money DOC receives goes to the court on the next business day. It names no window, hours, or payment types, so call (860) 451-3001 before bringing anything.
What may a bondsman charge?
State law caps a professional bondsman at $50 on bail up to $500, 10 percent on bail from $500 to $5,000, and 7 percent on bail above $5,000. On a $3,000 bond, 10 percent is $300.
Surety bail agents answer to the Insurance Department, which approves their rates. Check a license with the department at (860) 297-3800. For professional bondsmen, call the State Police licensing unit at (860) 685-8160.
Can we use a house or land instead of cash?
Yes. A person who owns real estate can pledge it if the equity equals the bond amount. The court then records a lien with the town clerk where the property sits.
If she misses court and the bond is forfeited, the Attorney General can foreclose on that lien. The lien lasts six years after the forfeiture order unless foreclosure starts. Whether land in another state can be used is a question for the clerk.
Can a judge refuse bail altogether?
Only in a capital case where the proof is evident or the presumption is great. Otherwise Connecticut holds people by setting a bond they cannot meet, which is likely why many women at York are there.
For certain serious firearm offenses, the prosecutor may ask that at least 30 percent of the bond be deposited with the court.
The bond feels too high. What can we ask for?
Her lawyer can file a motion to change the bond. The judge must hold a hearing and give notice to the surety and the bail commissioner.
A woman who stays locked up also gets periodic reviews: every 45 days on most charges, every 30 for class D or E felonies. On a misdemeanor-only case, money terms must be dropped unless the judge makes a specific finding.
How do I get a public defender for her?
The Division of Public Defender Services answers at (860) 509-6400. Because York takes women from every court, the right office depends on where she was charged. Offices near the prison include New London at (860) 443-5356 and Norwich at (860) 889-3838.
Ask for the office covering her courthouse. Never pay a caller who claims to be a public defender.
She has a probation or immigration hold. Does bail still work?
A bond only answers the case it was set on. A probation violation is separate, and the court must act on it within 120 days of arraignment unless good cause is shown.
Under the Connecticut Trust Act, police can hold someone for immigration officers only with a judicial warrant or a listed conviction. Ask her lawyer to read the detainer.
What if the woman is a teenager?
Youth in juvenile matters go through the Judicial Branch, not DOC. It runs two detention centers: Bridgeport, 60 Housatonic Avenue, (203) 579-6548, and Hartford, 920 Broad Street, (860) 244-7961. The state does not say which one takes youth from which town, so ask both control units.
For a girl from York's own area, juvenile court is in Waterford, 978 Hartford Turnpike, clerk (860) 440-5880. Juvenile and adult cases are separate.
How do I visit her at York?
Every visitor must be on her approved list, which takes two to three weeks. Bring photo ID. Two visitors at most per visit, children included.
She may have two visits Monday to Friday and one on the weekend. In-person visits need no booking. Video visits are requested at visitingrequest.doc.ct.gov. Courtesy visits are not allowed in her first 72 hours. Call (860) 451-3001 with questions.
Is putting money on her account the same as bail?
No. Trust fund deposits buy her commissary items and calls. They never release her. Send them by money order to Inmate Trust Fund, P.O. Box 290800, Wethersfield, CT 06129, or use the electronic services DOC lists. Questions go to (860) 692-7670.
Keep a receipt for each payment.
What happens if she misses a court date?
The judge can order her arrest and call the bond. Surety bonds of $500 or more get a six-month stay before the money is due, and the bond ends if she is returned to custody in that time. If she comes back on her own within five business days, the court may cancel the forfeiture when the miss was not willful. Call her lawyer the same day.
How do I spot a bail scam?
DOC has warned about calls that seem to come from the department, claiming a loved one needs bail money. DOC says those calls are not from it. Check with DOC's public information office at (860) 692-7780 before sending anything.
Never wire money or buy gift cards for a caller.
Contacts for York bail questions
- Facility
- York Correctional Institution, 201 West Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357; (860) 451-3001
- Bond guide
- Bail and bond instructions
- Custody check
- York Correctional Institution Inmate Search
- Courts
- New London clerk (860) 443-8343; Norwich clerk (860) 889-7338
- Bail commissioners
- Daily 6 PM to 4:30 AM; Court Support Services (860) 368-3800
- Public defender
- Division of Public Defender Services, (860) 509-6400; New London (860) 443-5356; Norwich (860) 889-3838
- Youth detention
- Judicial Branch centers: Bridgeport (203) 579-6548; Hartford (860) 244-7961
- Bondsman licensing
- Insurance Department (860) 297-3800; State Police licensing (860) 685-8160
- DOC information
- Public information office (860) 692-7780; inmate trust fund (860) 692-7670
Court orders, bond amounts, fees, and phone numbers can change. Call the court clerk or the facility to confirm the steps for a specific case before you send money. This guide explains the process in general terms and is not legal advice.
York Correctional Institution
Address:
York Correctional Institution
201 West Main Street
Niantic, CT 06357
Phone:
860-451-3001
Frequently Asked Questions about Bail and Bonds in New London County
Does New London County have bail?
What kind of bonds are accepted in New London County?
Who can set bail in New London County?
When is bail set in New London County Connecticut?
Does New London County have bail?
Yes, Connecticut is a bail state and New London County recognizes the bail system.
What kind of bonds are accepted in New London County?
New London 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.
Who can set bail in New London County?
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.
When is bail set in New London County Connecticut?
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.
What is Bail?
Bail is what the arrested in New London 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 New London 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 York Correctional Institution 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.
What is the difference between Bail and Bond?
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, New London 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.
What are the different types of bonds in New London County?
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.)
Does New London County have bail?
Yes, Connecticut is a bail state and New London County recognizes the bail system.
What kind of bonds are accepted in New London County?
New London 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.
Who can set bail in New London County?
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.
When is bail set in Connecticut?
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.
Can I get the bail or bond reduced in New London County Connecticut?
Yes, bail can be reduced by an officer of pre-trial services or at the arraignment if the bail was already set.
In New London County Connecticut, who can pay bail for me?
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.
Can bail be paid online in New London County Connecticut?
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 York Correctional Institution for more information about the jails in New London County.
What options are there to pay bail in New London County Connecticut?
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 New London 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.
Will I get all my bond money back in Connecticut?
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.
Can I get bail or a bond with no money down in New London County?
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.
What are the least expensive and affordable bail bonds in Connecticut?
The jail or court can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies in New London 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 York Correctional Institution or court in this jurisdiction can provide you with a list of approved and licensed bond companies, but they cannot recommend a specific company.