SPP Students Get Personalized Capitol Tour from IMRP Director Andrew Clark

April 22, 2025

Students in Dr. Angie Eikenberry’s Public Policy 1001 got out of the classroom for a firsthand look at state government on a tour led by IMRP Director Andrew Clark.

Clark pointed out local sites on the brief, 10-minute walk from the Hartford Times Building to the State Capitol, including such historic spots as the Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford’s Ancient Burying Ground, and a Bushnell Park in early bloom.

Inside the Hall of the House of Representatives, the largest room in the State Capitol, Clark spoke about his years as a legislative aide to state representative Bill Dyson, who served New Haven’s 94th district from 1976 – 2008.

The tour then proceeded via underground passageway to the LOB, the Legislative Office Building, where much of the work is done. Students were greeted by a current legislative intern at UConn and learned about opportunities to earn up to six academic credits completing a part-time internship during their undergraduate experience.

Noah Hurt, a first-year graduate student in the MPA (Master of Public Administration) program who serves as the class TA, noted the visit helped students gain a deeper understanding of how the Connecticut legislature works. “It was a powerful way to connect what we learn in class to real-world processes,” Hurt said.

IMRP Director Andrew Clark shares his early experience as a legislative aide with students in Public Policy 1001 on a tour of the State Capitol and Legislative Office Building

Hurt pointed out the beauty and meaning of the State Capitol. “It’s not just the architecture that stands out, but also the rich history represented inside and out. Being (there), reminded me that there are real opportunities for people like me to make a difference in our state. It makes me motivated to keep working hard so that one day I might have the honor of working with or even becoming part of the Connecticut legislature.”

The group gathered for a photo in the LOB’s committee hearing room.

36-Hour Campaign to Support CTCIP Scholarship via UConn Gives!

April 21, 2025

UCONN GIVES IS UNDERWAY!

We’ve got just 36 hours along with the rest of UConn Nation to raise funds for projects most important to us!

For all of us at the IMRP that means supporting CT Children with Incarcerated Parents (CTCIP) Initiative and its annual scholarship to deserving students who have been impacted by the incarceration of a parent or close family member.

Offering $1,500 per semester and renewable for up to six semesters, the CTCIP scholarship helps alleviate the cost of a college education to a student at UConn Hartford who might otherwise be unable to focus on their higher education goals.

When we talk about criminal justice reform, we often focus on the person who is incarcerated and not on their family or their kids. It’s an often overlooked group. The scholarship supports those students and makes them feel seen. – CTCIP Program Administrator Santana Miller.

UConn Gives is an annual university-wide fundraising event. This year’s event starts Monday, April 21st at 7:00 am and concludes Tuesday, April 22nd at 7:00 pm.

Donations as small as $5 are appreciated and a minimum $25 donation comes with a UConn Gives tote bag. Donations can be made via credit card at this UCONN GIVES LINK.

The scholarship is a way to show students they are not alone and to encourage them as they pursue their education. – IMRP Operations Coordinator Irvine Peck’s-Agaya.

Last year, thanks to your generous donations, we raised sufficient funds to award scholarships to not one, but two deserving students! To date, the CTCIP scholarship has provided more than $75,000 in funds.

IJE Work Featured in CT Mirror Article

CT Mirror’s Mark Pazniokas spent two days behind-the-scenes at Garner and York correctional institutions to capture the groundbreaking work the IMRP’s International Justice Exchange is conducting with Amend at UCSF and CTDOC.

Read the full article, below, or the IMRP summary of this recent collaboration here.

For more information and history of the International Justice Exchange, visit the IJE website.

Borrowing from Norway, a Connecticut prison tries a new approach

CTCIP Calls for Scholarship Applicants

March 4, 2025

Applications are currently open for the CT Children with Incarcerated Parents Initiative (CTCIP) scholarship which provides financial support to UConn Hartford students impacted by the incarceration of a parent or close family member.

The scholarship, which is designed to alleviate the financial burden of college tuition, launched in 2014 when the IMRP and CT Children with Incarcerated Parents were housed at Central Connecticut State University. Following the Institute’s move to the University of Connecticut in 2021, the first scholarships awards of $1,500 were granted to two UConn Hartford students in February 2024.

“This scholarship turns this part of my childhood into a story that I can relate to with other kids going through similar things,” one recipient noted. “It also helps alleviate a significant financial burden for me.”

Scholarship awards are renewable for a maximum of six semesters in total.

To date, the CTCIP scholarship has awarded more than 25 scholarships to college students impacted by parental incarceration, totaling more than $75,000.

“I am forever grateful for the CIP Scholarship. I love how it sheds light on children who have loved ones that are incarcerated, because at times I feel like they are looked over.”

To be eligible, applicants must:

be a full-time, matriculated undergraduate student for Fall 2025
be experiencing, or have experienced, the incarceration of a close family member such as a parent
submit an application by 11:59 pm on April 4, 2025

Previous recipients have noted the practical benefits of the scholarship as well as the personal growth and motivation it provides.

“It has helped me to focus on my education and my goals for the future,” said one student. “My parents and I don’t have to worry as much about finances and paying for a full year of classes.”

“The CIP scholarship has not only allowed me to be one step closer to my goal, but it has also inspired me to help others,” said another.

“When we talk about criminal justice reform, we often focus on the person who is incarcerated and not on the impact on their family or their kids. It’s an often overlooked group. This scholarship supports those students and makes them feel seen,” notes Santana Miller, CTCIP program assistant since October 2024.

“The scholarship shows that we care and we want them to succeed,” she continues. “Even though something traumatic happened to them – such as seeing a parent go to prison – that doesn’t have to define their future. And the scholarship itself is not just a one-and-done. It’s over several semesters. That level of continued support means a lot. We also engage with the scholarship recipients, some of whom wind up volunteering with the CTCIP program to give back. And that’s a great thing as well.”

Those wishing to donate to the fund can do so via the UConn Foundation. No amount is too small and all donations are appreciated!

Visit the CTCIP website for more information or download the application here. Email ctcip@uconn.edu with any questions or for additional information.

IMRP Facilitates CTDOC Culture Change Collaboration

February 24, 2025

On a cold evening during a three-day training at Garner and York Correctional Institutions, the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) welcomed Connecticut Department of Correction (CTDOC) personnel and key partners to its offices at UConn’s School of Public Policy. This informal gathering fostered discussions about the program’s transformative impact and future potential.

“Change in corrections does not happen easily,” noted Deputy Commissioner Bill Mulligan, a 30-year veteran of the DOC. “The work we are doing today is for our kids and our grandkids.”

“The work” brings together stakeholders from across Connecticut and as far away as California, Washington state, and Norway. The initiative is part of the IMRP’s International Justice Exchange (IJE). In partnership with Amend, a physician-led public health program based at the University of California, San Francisco, the IMRP aims to equip CTDOC with the training and resources for the development of safer, more humane, and ultimately more effective prisons.

The project is funded by legislative appropriations, as well as additional funding provided by the Connecticut Project.

History of the IJE

By facilitating firsthand, immersive experiences with Norway and Germany – countries recognized for healthier corrections environments, low recidivism, and evidence-based practices – the IJE empowers Connecticut leaders to develop and implement effective, humane laws and policies. It also supports correctional facility staff in adopting practices that strengthen Connecticut’s justice system and improve outcomes. The first IJE visit to Norway, in November 2022, was covered by this CT Public documentary.

“Connecticut is well known across the country as a leader in justice reform,” explains IMRP Director Andrew Clark. “Much of this has been based on looking to other states to see what works. About 10 years ago, we broadened our lens overseas and realized there were even better practices occurring outside of the United States.”

Read about the history of the IJE here.

IMRP Director Andrew Clark (second from R) and IMRP Director of Research Dr. Vaughn Crichlow (R) visited Norway in September 2024, one of several trips to learn international best practices in incarceration

After a series of discussions with CTDOC, Deputy Commissioner Mulligan and Patrick Hulin of the Governor’s office traveled to Norway in September 2023 with a delegation from other Amend-participating states including California, Oregon and Washington.

Recognizing the opportunity, CTDOC began a formal partnership with IMRP, Amend, and the Norwegian Correctional Services to promote correctional culture change at pilot sites York CI and Garner CI, with the goal of expanding agency-wide. The work officially began in March 2024.

The initiative is divided into two phases.

– Phase One: Establishing a Foundation for Transformative Change –

Staff Engagement: Focus groups, training sessions, and workshops were conducted with correctional professionals at Garner and York to gather input, build consensus, and foster a shared understanding of project goals.

Immersive Learning: Amend facilitated opportunities for DOC staff to participate in immersive learning experiences at other correctional facilities, both domestically and internationally. These experiences provided exposure to successful programs and best practices that have informed Connecticut’s tailored approach.

Data-Driven Framework: IMRP contributed to the establishment of a data-driven framework through weekly meetings, site visits, and collaboration with Amend and DOC staff, helping to identify key challenges and inform program design.

“When you’re coming in to these settings from the outside, it’s important to build trust, and that starts by being a good listener,” explains IMRP Director of Research Dr. Vaughn Crichlow, who facilitated many of the early focus groups. “The focus groups were a very important way of doing that. We worked with small groups of individuals – and if they’re the right individuals and they are influential, they can work with the rest of the facility. But you need to bring them on board first. Any initiatives that are going to come out of this starts with them.”

– Phase Two: Culture Change Implementation and Impact Assessment –

The second phase, which includes the recent on-site trainings in February, focuses on the implementation and assessment of DOC-developed and approved resource and activities teams at both Garner and York. These teams of in-house staff are designed to address key areas such as:

Staff Well-being: Streamlining core responsibilities and promoting a supportive work environment to reduce burnout and enhance morale.

Behavior of People in Custody: Implementing dynamic security principles to cultivate positive staff-incarcerated individual relationships, leading to a reduction in incidents and a safer environment.

Normalization: Introducing and managing programs and activities that mirror life outside of prison, improving the overall atmosphere and preparing incarcerated individuals for reintegration into society.

Progression of People in Custody: Assessing and supporting the progress of incarcerated individuals, particularly those with a history of problematic behavior, through targeted interventions and resources.

The recent on-site visits focused on training the in-house resource teams responsible for developing procedures, protocols, and necessary data collection. Two shifts of teams – comprising four officers and one lieutenant at each site – receive ongoing support, including training on the importance of mental health, as well as mentorship, and data analysis to measure impact. 

Members of the resource teams expressed pride and excitement about their roles in the program, noting it was the first time the team “had come together.” One participant emphasized how simple activities, such as playing a round of Uno with incarcerated individuals, can build trust and foster open communication.

“You can see the ability for change,” noted one participant, a corrections officer with six years of experience on the job. “To me, that’s everything. It really changes the scope of the career.”

Warden Jeanette Maldonado highlighted the program’s strength, noting that its success stems from being built and implemented by frontline officers – “boots on the ground and up” – who have the most direct access and influence.

facilitator at meeting — Kevin Reeder, Amend’s Senior Program Manager, facilitates feedback from CTDOC partners

A Commitment to Meaningful Change

Kevin Reeder, Amend’s Senior Program Manager, emphasized the significance of CTDOC’s investment in this initiative:

“With this investment in its staff at Garner and York, CTDOC joins a small group of state prison systems that are committed to making their prisons safer, healthier places to work and live while doubling down on the central role that rehabilitation plays in meeting their public safety mission.”

Simultaneously, the IMRP is leading a correctional officer-requested “beautification project” via a partnership with UConn experts in plant science and landscape architecture. This initiative focuses on enhancing green spaces and improving the environment within the facilities, contributing to a more positive atmosphere for both staff and incarcerated individuals. 

“One of the striking things about visiting a prison in Norway is that it doesn’t resemble a prison in the United States,” explains Andrew Clark. “Staff and policymakers realize how much the built environment contributes to those that reside and work in prisons. The beautification efforts are an attempt to bring a bit of that humanity to Connecticut.”

This initiative marks a significant step toward cultural transformation in Connecticut’s correctional system, reinforcing the state’s commitment to fostering a safer, more humane, and rehabilitative environment.

“This is about taking an approach that helps to de-escalate tense situations and relationships, benefitting not just the incarcerated individual, not just the prison staff member, but everyone they connect with as well,” reiterates Dr. Crichlow. 

IMRP Researcher’s Work Highlighted Internationally

January 14, 2025

Brittany LaMarr, a researcher with the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy’s (IMRP) International Justice Exchange (IJE), is gaining international recognition for her transformative contributions to prison education. Her work with the National Prison Debate League (NPDL) was recently spotlighted in Helsingin Sanomat, the largest newspaper in Finland and the most widely read in the Nordic countries.

LaMarr, who also serves as Assistant Director of the NPDL, has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for incarcerated individuals to engage in higher education and meaningful intellectual exchanges. The NPDL’s mission centers on fostering partnerships that allow incarcerated men and women to participate in structured debates, where a thoughtful exchange of ideas builds self-confidence, communication skills, and pathways to higher education.

“The work promotes human potential and social diplomacy,” says LaMarr. “It provides incarcerated learners with interactive educational opportunities where a thoughtful exchange of ideas builds skills and understanding that transcend prison walls.”

Building International Connections

The IMRP’s International Justice Exchange, which emphasizes human connection, curiosity, and openness, played a key role in expanding LaMarr’s work to an international stage. The foundation for this collaboration was laid in October 2023 when James Bhandary-Alexander, a colleague from Yale Law School, introduced the IMRP team to Finnish prison educator Susanna Fabritius-Haverinen.

Fabritius-Haverinen, who was visiting her son at Yale, joined LaMarr and IMRP Director Andrew Clark for a visit to Connecticut’s Manson Youth Institution. The visit sparked meaningful conversations about prison education in Finland and the United States. These discussions continued at Yale University, where colleagues from both institutions explored shared strategies and challenges in providing educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals.

The foundation for the partnership began in 2023 at Yale University

LaMarr and Fabritius-Haverinen’s collaboration deepened during the summer of 2024, when they reunited at an intensive PhD seminar on incarceration held in Stockholm. Their shared commitment to education led to further discussions in Helsinki and a tour of Jokela Prison.

A Transatlantic Debate

The partnership culminated in a project that brought together incarcerated debaters from Finland’s Jokela Prison and university students from Suffolk University in Boston. LaMarr coordinated the initiative, enlisting Tripp Rebrovic, Director of Debate at the Harvard Debate Council, to coach the Finnish team. Weekly virtual meetings via Teams enabled participants to prepare for a debate on the provocative topic: Should Finland adopt U.S. gun laws?

To bridge the language gap, LaMarr utilized a real-time translation app to facilitate communication during the debate. The app provided subtitles, translating Finnish to English and English to Finnish, ensuring seamless interaction between the Finnish and U.S. participants.

Highlighting Human Potential

The Helsingin Sanomat article, titled An Unusual Debate, captures the essence of this unique collaboration. It highlights how the program not only enhances critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork skills but also fosters personal growth and opens doors to new opportunities for incarcerated individuals. The article underscores the transformative power of education, diplomacy, and human connection in breaking down barriers and reshaping lives.

“As a formerly incarcerated learner who craved intellectual discourse and educational opportunities, I value the chance for incarcerated students to display their intellectual and creative potential,” says LaMarr. “It’s a powerful demonstration of their capacity as critical thinkers and engineers of ideas.”

This initiative reflects the IMRP’s commitment to innovation and international collaboration in the field of justice policy and education. For LaMarr, it’s a testament to the limitless potential that can emerge when individuals, regardless of their circumstances, are given a platform to learn, grow, and express themselves.

The Helsingin Sanomat full article is available in English in PDF form below:

An Unusual Debate – Helsingin Sanomat Jan. 9 2025

CTSC Releases Annual Report

The Connecticut Sentencing Commission released its 2024 Annual Report at its first meeting of the new year.

The report summarizes significant strides the CTSC made in the past year in improving Connecticut’s criminal justice system including:

Passed legislation prioritizing outpatient competency restoration for misdemeanor defendants (PA 24-137).
Continued its study on pretrial justice, including risk-based bail systems and the potential impact of reducing reliance on cash bail.
Proposed the creation of a diversionary program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, modeled after existing programs for those with psychiatric disabilities.
Hosted a successful symposium on pretrial justice with over 150 attendees.
Made progress on a statewide sentencing database and key studies on disparities, domestic violence sentencing, and hate crime laws.

The Commission would like to thank all collaborators and stakeholders who made this progress possible as well as express appreciation to CTSC staffers and interns for their work in compiling the annual report including Thomas Dowd, Matthew Hono, Chenoa Greenlee, and Josephine Burke.

The full report can be viewed or downloaded here.

Lessons from Norway – Slideshow

December 16, 2024

Best Practices in International Corrections: Lessons from Norway

December 11, 2024

In September 2024, IMRP Director Andrew Clark and IMRP Director of Research Dr. Vaughn Crichlow, along with leadership from the Connecticut Department of Correction, toured multiple Norwegian correctional facilities, a training facility, as well as a halfway house. The week-long experience built upon previous efforts the IMRP’s International Justice Exchange (IJE) has engaged with to inform best practices in corrections and reentry systems in Connecticut and beyond.

“It’s one thing to read about a system and another to see it. These trips help reimagine what corrections could be and inspire steps for change.” Dr. Vaughn Crichlow, IMRP Director of Research

The Amend Project: A Collaborative Approach

This marked Clark’s second visit to Norway’s carceral system, following his first in 2022, the subject of a CT Public Cutline documentary. The recent trip was organized by The Amend Project, based at the University of California, San Francisco, which fosters cultural transformation in U.S. corrections through the exchange of ideas and best practices. Connecticut is the first East Coast state to participate in this immersion session with Norwegian Correctional Services. Practitioners and policymakers representing California, Oregon, and Washington State were also in attendance. Norway is known for its extremely low incarceration rate and effective prisoner reentry practices. These outcomes result from its rehabilitative approach to corrections. as exemplified by Halden prison, dubbed “the most humane prison in the world.”

These visits strengthen international relationships and deepen understanding of Norway’s correctional philosophy, which emphasizes normalization and community connection. “It’s not just about the system but the society surrounding it,” Clark observed, noting Norway’s general trust in government, commitment to community and embodiment of democratic ideals, all of which lead to a safer overall society.

“As a small country of roughly five million residents, they are also constantly aware of their relationship to the larger world. This is true not only with correctional practices, but also apparent in their commitment to sustainability,” explains Clark, noting that the day he arrived in Bergen, he was made aware that 90% of vehicles sold in Norway that month were electric. “The city streets were quiet, clean, and easy to navigate,” he recalls. “What this impressed on me was a society that was rowing together, having generally embraced a set of priorities based on agreements reached with international partners. Such is true with their commitment to human rights, as reflected in their justice system.”

A Reflection on America’s Influence

“Going into international communities, talking about our system, we don’t really have a sense of what mass incarceration in America has exported to the rest of the world. And I don’t think we should be proud of it,” says Clark, emphasizing the responsibility to do better.

Crichlow adds that Connecticut challenges mirror those faced nationwide. “If you asked any correctional professional in the U.S. whether they believe in rehabilitation, they would likely say yes. But when you examine the spaces they work in and their daily activities, it raises the question: Is this truly rehabilitative? Our environments often retraumatize rather than rehabilitate. Norway shows us that a different approach is possible.”

The Importance of Training and Leadership

One facility that left a significant impact was the Correctional Service of Norway Staff Academy (KRUS) on Day 4 of the visit.

Unlike Connecticut’s 14–16-week correctional officer training program, Norway’s two-year academy reflects a commitment to thorough professional development, focusing on both inmate and staff health and safety. The program contrasts with the significant public health challenges faced in U.S. corrections, such as the notably low life expectancy of correctional staff, which averages just 59 years.

Normalization in Norway: “Prison Coffee”

One of the most striking aspects of Norway’s system is its emphasis on normalization.

Clark shared an experience at a food festival in Bergen, where incarcerated individuals ran a food truck selling coffee and handmade mugs. Dressed in civilian clothes, they integrated seamlessly into the community. This approach, which fosters integration and reduces stigma, embodies Norway’s commitment to rehabilitation and human dignity.

“What’s fascinating about the system is the focus on keeping the incarcerated population as closely integrated in society as possible,” Clark explained. “Everybody is viewed as a partner in creating safe communities and putting society in balance. It’s a system that demands accountability from everyone.”

The Boat to Bastøy

A standout visit to Bastøy Prison left a lasting impression on Crichlow. Located on an island in the Oslo Fjord, Bastøy operates with minimal fencing and emphasizes trust and self-sufficiency. Inmates run the ferry service as well as maintain the island which is also home to a public beach.

“When we got there, we were looking for the walls and fences and all we say was a little fence and a huge expanse of land,” explains Crichlow. “And one of the first questions we asked was, ‘Aren’t you concerned about people escaping from this facility?’ And it happens every now and then, but they operate on a trust system. They recognize that this is a special place. They have to apply to get here. The know that if they violate the rules, that they would lose the opportunity to be here.”

Trust is fundamental to the success of the Norwegian model. Inmates take on responsibilities such as cooking meals, tending gardens and animals, and disposing of their own trash, tasks similar to those they would have “on the outside.”

“This was paradigm-shifting for me,” Crichlow shares. “The trust system contrasts starkly with the punitive systems in the U.S.”

“We weren’t looking to find the most humane system in the world. We were looking at best practices. And it just so happens that best practices are also the places that have the most humanity.” Andrew Clark, Director, IMRP

Best Practices Rooted in Humanity

Clark emphasized that the search for best practices in corrections naturally leads to more humane systems. “When you remove the adversarial nature that we’ve created in our society, you find that people – regardless of cultural differences – share common desires for health, happiness, and community.” He highlights Norway’s historical shift from a punitive system in the 1980s to one rooted in human rights, influenced by Europe’s legacy of addressing the atrocities of World War II.

“This is an example of a nation and a culture that took steps over time to make change happen,” said Dr. Crichlow, noting the impact of small changes over time. “It’s taken decades for us to get to where we are (in the U.S.). It’s not going to change in a day. But we have to start imagining something different.”

For policymakers and practitioners, the lesson is clear: prioritizing compassion and humanity in corrections yields better outcomes for all. These experiences abroad illuminate the transformative potential of adopting best practices, rooted not just in efficiency but in shared human values. “The flip side of being adversarial is working together,” says Clark. “It’s a fairly basic concept that we understand in so many aspects of our lives and is embedded in our wide scale embrace of team culture – in sports, work, families, or otherwise. The shift here is to recognize that this culture doesn’t need to be sacrificed in a system that also holds people accountable for wrongs they’ve committed.”

“Ultimately,” Clark concludes, “when you educate yourself on what works, it often leads to a direction of compassion, humanity, and improved outcomes for everyone.”

A slideshow of select images is provided below. Another trip through IMRP’s partnership with Amend is planned for September 2025.

Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy

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