The Connecticut Sentencing Commission held its sixth symposium on Thursday, November 21st at William F. Starr Hall at the University of Connecticut School of Law.
This year’s focus – Pretrial Justice in Connecticut – included participation from leading experts, policymakers, and practitioners from Connecticut and beyond, who collectively examined the current landscape of pretrial release and detention policies and explored best practices from other jurisdictions, along with reform opportunities to enhance justice and reduce disparities while improving community safety
Opening remarks were made by the Honorable Robin Pavia, Chair of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, and Eboni S. Nelson, Dean of the University of Connecticut School of Law.
Sandra Mayson, Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, delivered the keynote address.
“Sandy Mayson gave a powerful keynote address going back to the early American history of bail and implications for policymakers today,” said Alex Tsarkov, Executive Director of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission. “We were so fortunate to welcome a diverse lineup of speakers from across the country, bringing unique insights and experiences to ignite important discussions on pretrial justice reform in Connecticut.”
Throughout the event, more than a dozen expert panelists provided insights into:
- The pretrial landscape in Connecticut
- Reform efforts in other states, including Illinois
- Pretrial services and support available upon release
- Next steps to advance pretrial justice in Connecticut
View videos from the event on the IMRP YouTube page. A slideshow recap is provided below:
Attendees included judges, legislators, judiciary committee members, prosecutors, public defenders, policymakers, students, and community members who filled Starr Hall and engaged in networking and discussion during lunch and program breaks.
“It takes a lot of work to put together a meaningful conference,” acknowledges Tsarkov. “I’d like to thank all the panelists, moderators and attendees. None of it would be possible without the work of the staff. It was a real team effort. I want to especially thank (IMRP / CTSC staffers) Tommy Down, Matt Hono and Chenoa Greenlee for their contributions.”
This year’s symposium builds on the success of previous events which have explored topics such as sentencing reform, racial disparities, and alternatives to incarceration.
The Connecticut Sentencing Commission is an independent state agency tasked with reviewing, researching, and recommending improvements to the state’s criminal justice.