Prison Reform

This is the first Christmas that Connecticut prisoners will be able to make and receive phone calls for free. The state was the first in the nation to stop charging for prisoner calls.

Reginald Dwayne Betts, who finished his sentence 23 years ago and has since completed his law degree from Yale Law School, is working to bring libraries to prisons around the country.

A leading statewide advocate is calling for reform after a recent New York State Inspector General report found Black and Hispanic individuals are more likely to face disciplinary action than others incarcerated in New York state.

Prisoners will no longer be subjected to more than 15 consecutive days in solitary confinement or more than 30 days total in a 60-day period.

A report revealed that nearly 90% of Connecticut’s jail and prison population have tested positive for COVID, and that there have been 29 inmate deaths from the disease.

A bill would create a commission that would oversee health care provided by the state Department of Correction with special attention given to pregnant inmates.

Last year, Governor Ned Lamont vetoed a bill that would have improved oversight of Connecticut's prison system. Now, advocates urge state lawmakers to again pass a law to monitor the treatment of inmates.

The state charges people a $250 daily fee for their prison time.

Connecticut’s state judiciary committee has prioritized a proposal that repeals the state’s incarceration lien.

Prison reform advocates want the upcoming Connecticut legislative session to prioritize the elimination of solitary confinement in state prisons. The session starts on February 9.