Connecticut — State and Local Issues — Galsworthy Criminal Justice Reform Program

Those with criminal records should help decide their fate, member says

“Bain, the founder of Women Against Mass Incarceration, spent a decade in federal prison. That means she knows from firsthand experience the challenges people face when they return home after finishing a prison sentence. She acknowledged Tuesday that Connecticut has made positive strides in its criminal justice reforms, but said for that progress to continue, lawmakers and policy experts must listen to the voices of people who have been directly impacted by the state’s policies.“

The CT Mirror

October 8, 2019

SentencingPhillip ReevesOctober 8, 2019The CT Mirror, ConnecticutComment

Almost empty: “Monument” to punishment-heavy ’90s sees sharp population decline

“The number of inmates held at Northern — a level-five maximum security facility that at one point could hold up to 584 sentenced prisoners — has fallen precipitously since January of this year. According to the Department of Correction, there were 270 inmates at Northern on January 1, 2019. By Aug. 23, shortly after two of its housing units were closed, there were just 76, a 71.8% decrease in just seven months.“

The CT Mirror

September 4, 2019

State Reforms, Mass IncarcerationPhillip ReevesSeptember 4, 2019The CT Mirror, ConnecticutComment

Opinion: It might soon be time to close another prison

“Given all of this data, it’s safe to assume that our prison population will continue to decline as crime drops. The central indicator underlying this prediction is the extraordinary drop in young adults, persons under 25 years of age, being arrested. For example, the number of 18-year-olds arrested last year was down 63 percent compared to 2009. As you might expect, the number of young adults in prison in our state has declined by about the same amount. Arrests and incarceration of older offenders had declined, but only slightly. Since the farm system for our prison system consists of younger men, I am confident that our Department of Correction will continue to shrink for the foreseeable future.“

CT Mirror

May 14, 2019

Mass IncarcerationPhillip ReevesMay 14, 2019The CT Mirror, ConnecticutComment

Connecticut Criminal Justice Advocates Focus On Life After Jail

“Rivera-Forastieri believes the solution lies within the impacted population being included in the conversation. She also proposes eliminating jail time for certain crimes. Guests at the Hartford event were asked to do what they could to continue the conversation once they went back out into the world. Karriem Holness is accepting this challenge by going into work into youth services or by becoming a drug counselor.“

Connecticut Public Radio

November 19, 2018

State ReformsPhillip ReevesNovember 19, 2018Connecticut, Connecticut Public RadioComment

More Women Are Behind Bars Now. One Prison Wants to Change That.

“What’s most striking about this program is hearing prison officials talk about a newfound sense of purpose. They no longer reduce success to statistics about arrests or disciplinary infractions. They tell stories of individuals gaining control of their lives and reconnecting with estranged family members. And they use the word “dignity” a lot, much like their counterparts in Europe. They take pride in the idea that they are truly a department of correction.“

The Marshall Project

October 9, 2018

Prison Programs, State ReformsPhillip ReevesOctober 9, 2018The Marshall Project, Connecticut, WORTHComment

Alma Rutgers: Unlocking criminal justice reform

“Smart Justice Connecticut draws upon the expertise of people living with criminal records, like Curtis, in the belief that those closest to the situation are best able to offer innovative solutions to the problems of mass incarceration and its systemic inequities. Yet, those with this special, experiential expertise are typically kept out of the conversation. They remain furthest from the centers of political power, are excluded from decision-making, and lack the resources to effect change. Smart Justice seeks to empower them.“

Greenwich Time

September 23, 2018

State ReformsPhillip ReevesSeptember 24, 2018Greenwich Time, Connecticut, Smart Justice Connecticut, ACLUComment

The Connecticut Experiment

"Young brains are still evolving. One prison is trying to take advantage of that."

The Marshall Project

May 8, 2018

Education, Prison ProgramsAnthony BradleyJuly 31, 2018The Marshall Project, Connecticut

State and Local Issues

Galsworthy CJR Program

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