The Middlesex County Jail in Haddam, Connecticut, is a historic stone prison that dates back to 1845. It served as the county’s principal jail for over a century, housing inmates who had more freedoms than those in other institutions—they even grew vegetables and played baseball near the river. Haddam and Middletown were designated as half-shire towns when Middlesex County was formed in 1785, meaning each town had to maintain a courthouse and jail. Despite ongoing debates about consolidating the county’s judicial facilities, Haddam managed to retain its courthouse and jail, which contributed to the town’s economic growth. The jail officially closed in 1969, but efforts have been made to convert…