Ok so I have been out of prison for almost two years now and the current state of affairs in the CT state prison system is a mess. Multiple prisons have been closed in the state due to the fact that their just isn't enough money to keep them open and up to code. J.B. Gates in Niantic which is directly on the same compound as the woman's prison, York has been shut down temporarily though from what I hear from friends of mine that are prison guards there are still men being housed their in some of the older buildings. This place is on one of the most beautiful pieces of property I have ever seen in this state. A picture perfect lake surrounded by acres of unspoiled forest hide away some of Connecticut's less violent offenders and all of the state's woman inmate population. When I was their the main compound was using a double wide trailer system as it's intake dorm and as a second dorm for inmates that got in trouble or caught tickets. The walls were falling apart and there was black mold in the ceiling. The floor had caved in and the living conditions were disgusting. This is how the great state of CT treats its non - violent inmates. Gates is a level 2 facility which means that the inmates with minor DWI or drug offenses are housed their. The only violent offenders this prison gets are those who have been in so long that they have managed to get from a level 4 rating all the way down to a 2. You can't do that without almost perfect behavior so these individuals are also mostly non - violent and getting ready to discharge just like everyone else. My tip for the day on how to survive living in a place like J.B. Gates is this, personal hygiene. Keep clean and don't touch anything. Clean your laundry every chance you get even if you have to bribe the laundry man with a couple of soups once a week. Another great tip by the way. For a dollar in Ramen soups every week the laundry man will make sure your clothes get washed and separate from all the rest. Some will even fold your clothes for you. This tip is universal and is relevant no matter where your doing your time. Make friends with the laundry man and anyone working in the kitchen. Most of this stuff is common sense but for those who have never been locked up before a little advice never killed anyone. Prison on the other hand....