News

CT Sentencing Commission Symposium Success

December 6, 2024

 

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.

IMRP Pays Tribute to the Late Governor Jodi Rell

December 2, 2024

The Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy mourns the loss of Jodi Rell, Connecticut governor from 2004 – 2011, who passed after a brief illness on November 20th at the age of 78. The Institute worked with the Rell administration on several policy initiatives during her tenure.

“She really humanized issues and sought to involve all residents in a vision for a healthier Connecticut, including those traditionally outcast during the ‘tough on crime’ era,” says IMRP director Andrew Clark.

Gov. Rell spoke at the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven in support of the recently passed Justice Reinvestment Act and Building Bridges pilot program in this 2004 clip.

“The change is not about programs. It’s about people,” noted Rell at that time. “It’s also about hope.”

“She set a standard that served as a beacon for people to govern themselves by,” recalls former State Representative Bill Dyson on his former House colleague and longtime friend. “In essence, she was grace personified – her word meant something, and she wasn’t afraid to act on it.”

In 2006, the Sentencing Task Force, the precursor to the current Connecticut Sentencing Commission, was created by Public Act 06-193 along with the establishment of a comprehensive reentry strategy and Criminal Justice Policy and Advisory Commission (CJPAC) within the Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division (CJPPD) of the Office of Policy and Management (OPM).

Photo: Governor Rell signs Public Act 06-193 while current IMRP Director Andrew Clark (L) looks on. Also in attendance were state representatives Mike Lawlor and Bob Farr, CSG Justice Center team member LaToya McBean, and original CJPPD Undersecretary Brian Austin. 

Bill signed by Governor Rell

The bill passed unanimously by both the Senate and Democratic majority House.

House vote:

Total Number Voting 149

Necessary for Passage 75

Those voting Yea 149

Those voting Nay 0

Those absent and not voting 2

Senate vote:

Total Number Voting 36

Necessary for Adoption 19

Those voting Yea 36

Those voting Nay 0

Those absent and not voting 0

“This was a time when Connecticut policymakers came together in conversation and subsequent action over a series of legislative sessions during the Rell administration,” explains Clark. “Connecticut was reeling from the exponential growth in its prison population. Something needed to be done, and legislative leaders worked with the executive branch, supported by the judiciary, to craft a new path forward for our state:  Justice Reinvestment.  Governor Rell was at the forefront of these efforts, and Connecticut residents have her to thank for her leadership during this critical period.”

At the request of former state representative Lawlor, a moment of silence for the late Governor was held at the Connecticut Sentencing Commission’s annual symposium at University Connecticut School of Law on November 21st. More than 130 people were in attendance .

CIP Offers Free Webinar for Educators

The CT Children with Incarcerated Parents (CIP) initiative is hosting an upcoming training webinar for current and future educators:

What About the Kids?

How to Support Children with Incarcerated Parents in Education Settings

Reflect on current practices for teaching youth impacted by the incarceration of a parent or close family member and learn about how the CT CIP initiative supports students in and out of the classroom.

The event will take place on Wednesday, December 11th from 6:45 – 8:00 pm.

There is no cost to attend.  Advance registration is required. Secure your spot HERE.

For more information or questions, please reach out to elizabeth.caravan@uconn.edu.

Scholarship Supports Students with Incarcerated Parents

This Giving Tuesday, the IMRP would like to highlight one of its initiatives that provides a direct benefit to students at the University of Connecticut – Hartford Campus.

The CT Children with Incarcerated Parents (CIP) initiative has provided more than $15k of scholarship funds to students impacted by the incarceration of a close family member.

The scholarship awards up to $1,500 per academic semester to chosen applicants in any field of study and are renewable for a maximum of six semesters in total.

Donations are accepted through the UConn Giving website and all donations go directly to deserving students and help them focus on their education and college engagement by alleviating the financial burden of the cost of attendance.

Hear from previous recipients and learn more about the program on the CIP website.

 

Hear from previous scholarship recipients and learn more about this program on the CIP website.

CTRP3 Hosts Informational Session for Law Students

November 5, 2024

UConn law students are invited to learn about the Connecticut Racial Profiling Prohibition Project (CTRP3) and how data analysis of traffic stops helps combat racial profiling in our state.

The event will take place Wednesday, Nov. 6th, from 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm at UConn Law School’s Starr Reading Room, located at 55 Elizabeth Street, Hartford.

Lunch will be served.

There is no cost to attend. dvance RSVPs are required.

CLICK HERE to reserve your spot.

IMRP Facilitates 5-Day “Expanding Access” Event

October 31, 2024

For five days, from October 21st through the 25th, policy makers, educators, correctional staff, advocacy groups and other participants gathered in cities across Connecticut for Expanding Access: The Future of Second Chance Pell Education in Connecticut.

The week began at UConn Storrs where Dr. Jane Gordon, Professor of Political Science and Social and Cultural Inquiry, welcomed attendees and guest speakers from Minnesota’s Transformation and Reentry through Education and Community (TREC) program. A working lunch session posed the question,”What can UConn Storrs unique contribute to a statewide higher education in prison program?”

Leaders of Minnesota’s innovative program Transformation and Reentry through Education and Community (TREC) share their findings with Storrs faculty, staff, and invited guests

Day 2 moved to the Hartford Club, a block from the IMRP’s home at the School of Public Policy, UConn Hartford.

Welcome remarks were provided by IMRP director Andrew Clark, UCONN College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Associate Dean Bandana Purkayastha, Chief Executive Officer of CT State Capital College Duncan Harris, and State Representative Toni E. Walker of the Connecticut General Assembly.

See the slideshow for images from the day.

Day 3 moved to Yale University and featured Connecticut State Senator Gary Winfield offering opening remarks along with an impactful panel, “Pathways to Reentry: Key Considerations for Justice-Impacted Students.”

IMRP staff members Santana Miller, Irvine Peck’s-Agaya, and Andrew Clark pose outside of Yale University’s Dwight Hall Commons with TREC presenter Dr. Soohee Ruthanne Kim (2nd from left)

Family Reentry / CRJ hosted Thursday’s event in Bridgeport which included a panel, “Connecting Higher Education Programs with Reentry and Career Services.”

Panelists in Bridgeport on Day 4 of Expanding Access

A small group of invitees gathered for a final morning session at UConn Hartford to wrap up the week with additional learnings and to discuss next steps.

A final, small-group working session was held at UConn Hartford on Friday, Oct. 25th

Highlights of the week were summarized in this CT Mirror article.

The IMRP would like to thank its partners, collaborators, invited guests, and attendees for contributing to this important conversation, especially visitors from TREC who traveled the state to share their work multiple times in front of various stakeholders.

“In our view, the restoration of Pell rights is the single largest federal intervention into our prisons in our lifetimes,” summarized Undersecretary Daniel Karpowitz, OPM CJPPD. “This is the dawn of a new day for this work in Connecticut.”

 

IMRP Facilitates 5-Day “Expanding Access” Event

For five days, from October 21st through the 25th, policy makers, educators, correctional staff, advocacy groups and other participants gathered in cities across Connecticut for Expanding Access: The Future of Second Chance Pell Education in Connecticut.

The week began at UConn Storrs where Dr. Jane Gordon, Professor of Political Science and Social and Cultural Inquiry, welcomed attendees and guest speakers from Minnesota’s Transformation and Reentry through Education and Community (TREC) program. A working lunch session posed the question,”What can UConn Storrs unique contribute to a statewide higher education in prison program?”

Leaders of Minnesota’s innovative program Transformation and Reentry through Education and Community (TREC) share their findings with Storrs faculty, staff, and invited guests

Day 2 moved to the Hartford Club, a block from the IMRP’s home at the School of Public Policy, UConn Hartford.

Welcome remarks were provided by IMRP director Andrew Clark, UCONN College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Associate Dean Bandana Purkayastha, Chief Executive Officer of CT State Capital College Duncan Harris, and State Representative Toni E. Walker of the Connecticut General Assembly.

See the slideshow for images from the day.

Day 3 moved to Yale University and featured Connecticut State Senator Gary Winfield offering opening remarks along with an impactful panel, “Pathways to Reentry: Key Considerations for Justice-Impacted Students.”

IMRP staff members Santana Miller, Irvine Peck’s-Agaya, and Andrew Clark pose outside of Yale University’s Dwight Hall Commons with TREC presenter Dr. Soohee Ruthanne Kim (2nd from left)

Family Reentry / CRJ hosted Thursday’s event in Bridgeport which included a panel, “Connecting Higher Education Programs with Reentry and Career Services.”

Panelists in Bridgeport on Day 4 of Expanding Access

A small group of invitees gathered for a final morning session at UConn Hartford to wrap up the week with additional learnings and to discuss next steps.

A final, small-group working session was held at UConn Hartford on Friday, Oct. 25th

Highlights of the week were summarized in this CT Mirror article.

The IMRP would like to thank its partners, collaborators, invited guests, and attendees for contributing to this important conversation, especially visitors from TREC who traveled the state to share their work multiple times in front of various stakeholders.

“In our view, the restoration of Pell rights is the single largest federal intervention into our prisons in our lifetimes,” summarized Undersecretary Daniel Karpowitz, OPM CJPPD. “This is the dawn of a new day for this work in Connecticut.”

 

The Future of Second Chance Pell Education in CT

October 10, 2024

In support of OPM’s Criminal Justice Planning and Policy Division (CJPPD), the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) at UConn’s School of Public Policy, is excited to welcome representatives of the Minnesota Transformation and Reentry through Education and Community (TREC), one of the most effective models of Second Chance Pell, to Connecticut for a series of events and conversations Oct. 21st – 24th.

During their visit, organization directors will highlight their pioneering work with Second Chance Pell to a variety of Connecticut stakeholders. Participants will share current initiatives in Connecticut’s own criminal justice and education landscape and the potential expansion of efforts among Connecticut’s private and public institutions of higher learning.

Day 2 of this event series, hosted by the IMRP and to be held near UConn Hartford’s campus, is open to the public with registration currently open and available. There is no fee to attend although space is limited and advance registration is required.

This open opportunity will take place Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the Hartford Club, located at 46 Prospect Street in Hartford, CT from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm. The agenda will cover a range of practical topics, from administration, policies in corrections and higher education, to federal funding. The heart of these discussions will be future-focused, aligning a shared mission, vision, and purpose, along with metrics that reflect our core values. These efforts will further inform needs assessment study for the delivery of postsecondary education programs in correctional facilities as tasked by HB 5127. 

Interested participants may utilize the REGISTRATION LINK to secure their spot or forward to peers or colleagues who may be interested in attending 

Please reach out to IMRP@uconn.edu with additional questions. 

Registration Open for CTSC Annual Symposium

October 8, 2024

Registration is now open for the Connecticut Sentencing Commission’s annual symposium to be held Thursday, November 21st, 2024 at UConn School of Law from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

The focus of this year’s symposium is pretrial justice in Connecticut. Featured speakers from Connecticut and from surrounding states will review current pretrial release and detention policies, best practices from other jurisdictions, and the opportunities for reform to promote justice, reduce disparities, and enhance community safety.

There is no fee to attend. However, advance registration is required. Interested attendees can register HERE. For accommodations or additional questions, please contact thomas.j.dowd@uconn.edu.

 

 

Connecticut Reentry Roundtable Collaborative Webinar on Voting Rights

September 23, 2024

The Reentry Collaborative and the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy discuss voting rights for Incarcerated and returning citizens.

Participants includes:

-Earl Bloodworth, Director of Bridgeport Mayor’s Initiative for Reentry Affairs
-State Senator Gary Winfield
-Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim
-Bridgeport City Councilman Ernie Newton
James Jeter, Yale Prison Education Initiative and Co-Director of Unlock the Vote
-Andrew Clark IMRP Director
-Dr. Zelda Roland, Director of Yale Prison Education Initiative
-Alex Tsarkov, IMRP staff and Executive director of the Connecticut Sentencing Commission
-Kelan Lyons, CT Mirror reporter
-State Representative Christopher Rosario
-Shannel Evans Democratic Registrar of Voters City of New Haven
-Don Robinson Workforce Specialist, Greater New Haven Reentry Round Table Co-Chair
-Robert Hebert SR.Vice President of Business Development and Re-entry Affairs Co-Chair of Bridgeport Reentry Council

Connecticut Reentry Roundtable Collaborative Webinar on Voting Rights from IMRP on Vimeo.