This past week, the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) proudly celebrated the graduation of several interns, fellows, and research and graduate assistants who have contributed meaningfully to our work.
The festivities were part of UConn’s broader commencement celebrations, including the School of Public Policy’s (SPP) graduation ceremony, held near the Hartford campus. Friends, family, faculty, and staff lined Front Street to cheer on SPP graduates as they processed from the Hartford Times building to Infinity Hall, led by the vibrant drum line of Hartford’s Proud.
Drummers from Hartford’s Proud accompanied SPP graduates to their ceremony
Inside Infinity Hall, graduates were welcomed by Dr. Angela Eikenberry, Director of the School of Public Policy. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong delivered an inspiring keynote address, marking the occasion with thoughtful remarks on public service and civic leadership.
Dr. Angela Eikenberry and Attorney General William Tong were featured speakers as SPP’s graduation ceremony
Among the IMRP-affiliated graduates this year are:
Matthew Hono, Master of Public Policy (MPP) graduate and recipient of the MPP Academic Excellence Award. Matt supports the Connecticut Sentencing Commission and has been developing a behavioral health diversionary resource guide to be published on the Commission’s website.
Matt Hono, MPP academic excellence award winner
Chenoa Greenlee, who works with the Connecticut Sentencing Commission, and Kate Mazzotta, an intern with the CT Children with Incarcerated Parents Initiative and other IMRP projects, both earned their Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees from the UConn School of Social Work.
Irina Ahmed, who supported the International Justice Exchange’s groundbreaking collaboration with Amend, celebrated her graduation with a Master’s in Human Rights from UConn’s Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute.
Irina Ahmed with IMRP colleagues Erica Escobar and Tommy Dowd
Ayla Fidel (Wesleyan University), a contributor to the International Justice Exchange, and Justin Guinta (UConn), who conducted an independent research project under the guidance of IMRP Director of Research Dr. Vaughn Crichlow, both earned their undergraduate degrees.
Justin Guinta received three undergraduate degrees from UConn and is enrolled in a master’s program at UNC.
Skylar Seabert, Justice David Borden Research and Policy Fellow with the Sentencing Commission, received her Juris Doctor from Quinnipiac University School of Law.
We are proud of each graduate’s accomplishments and honored to have played a role in their professional journeys. Many continue their work with the IMRP, and we look forward to welcoming new students in the months ahead. For those interested in joining us, please visit our Work With Us page to explore current and upcoming opportunities.
Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
We celebrate your achievements and are excited to see the positive change you’ll bring to public policy and beyond. Whether you remain with us or pursue new endeavors, you will always be part of the IMRP family.
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.
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 scholarshiphas provided more than $75,000 in funds.
In an effort to more consistently communicate with its broad audience of external partners, the IMRP continues to release a quarterly newsletter highlighting key accomplishments, staff notes, and upcoming initiatives.
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.
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!
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.”
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.
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.
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:
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 includingThomas Dowd,Matthew Hono,Chenoa Greenlee, andJosephine Burke.
