Connecticut Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System
Addressing the overrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities in the state’s criminal justice system and the impact of such disparity on minority communities.
History and Mission
The Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System was created by the Connecticut state legislature in 2000 (Public Act 00-154). During the 2019 legislative session, the Commission’s membership and charge were modified with the passage of Public Act 117.
The commission shall:
Sponsor conferences, forums and educational and training programs on the causes, effects and implications of racial and ethnic disparity in the state’s criminal justice system
Collaborate with national, state and local organizations and institutions to identify strategies for reducing racial and ethnic disparity in the state’s criminal justice system
Develop, evaluate and recommend promising and emerging policies and practices, including any legislation to implement such policies and practices
Determine whether any statutory provision negatively impacts the racial and ethnic disparity in the state’s criminal justice system and recommend statutory changes to the Governor and General Assembly to reduce such impact
Make recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly and state and local agencies and organizations on the implementation of any such strategy, policy, practice or legislative change
Assess the impact of any implementation of such strategies, policies, practices or legislative changes.
CRED Timeline
Commission Members
COMMISSION CHAIR:
The Honorable Lubbie Harper, Jr., Supreme Court Justice (Ret.), Designee of Chief Court Administrator
| COMMISSION MEMBERS: | APPOINTED MEMBERS: |
| Chairperson Jennifer Zaccagnini, Board of Pardons and Parole | Preston C. Tisdale, Governor Appointee |
| Bevin Salmon, Office of the Chief Public Defender | David McGuire, ACLU of CT |
| Patrick Griffin, Office of the Chief State’s Attorney | Avery Gaddis, Appointee of Minority Leader of the Senate |
| Christina Ghio, Office of the Child Advocate | Cheryl Sharp, Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities |
| Monica Rams, Department of Children and Families | TBD, Appointee of Majority Leader of the House of Representatives |
| Sharonda Carlos, Department of Correction | Brian Fournier, Appointee of Minority Leader of the House of Representatives |
| Michael Bloom, DESPP
Haley Russenberger, DESP |
Malik Ramiz, Appointee of Speaker of the House
Patrick Ridenhour, Danbury Police Chief |
| Hakima Bey-Coon, Office of the Victim Advocate | Werner Oyanadel, Commission on Women Children Seniors Equity and Opportunity (CWCSEO)
Alan Tan, CWCSEO Jameson Davis, CWCSEO |
Publications
With the passage of Public Act 15-109 during the 2015 legislative session, the Commission is required to report to the Governor and the Connecticut General Assembly on a biennial basis.