News & Commentary

May 03, 2023

The BOPP needs to re-start the commutations process

Every person should have a chance at hope. The criminal legal system should be open to the idea of redemption and rehabilitation. We join the call for the CT Board of Pardons and Paroles (BOPP) to re-start commutations.

an individual standing at a podium speaking, only their hands and the podium are visable
Mar 07, 2023

I have helped people gain their right to vote back. Let me tell you why it should not be taken away from them in the first place.

As a person, who has had my voting rights restored and exercises my right to vote I believe enfranchisement is an integral way for all Americans to participate in the democracy that governs them.

By Anderson Curtis

Anderson Curtis, ACLU of Connecticut ACLU Smart Justice Connecticut field organizer
Mar 03, 2023

No child should be in prison because police lied to them

Connecticut should ban police deception in interrogations of children.

By Claudine Constant

On a red background, the text reads "Connecticut should ban police deception in interrogations of children. No child should be imprisoned because police coerced them into false confessions"
Mar 03, 2023

It's time to end barriers for formerly incarcerated people in education

I had made it onto the dean's list several semesters. It was there that I ran into my second barrier.

By Will Roberts

ACLUCT Smart Justice leaders Will and L stand at the capitol, smiling and wearing people not prisons blue hoodies
Mar 03, 2023

Education provided me with a new path. Others need that chance.

We can take a very easy step towards removing barriers to reentry by passing S.B. 923.

By Brittany LaMarr

ACLUCT smart justice leader Brittany Lamar stands, smiling and facing the camera. She is wearing a blue people not prisons t-shirt and has long blond hair.
Mar 03, 2023

What's wrong with a question about a record? I can tell you firsthand.

S.B. 923 is a step forward that can begin to improve lives. Prohibiting institutions of higher learning from inquiring about our records will ensure that more previously impacted people continue to seek higher education, for ourselves and our families.

By Manuel Sandoval

ACLU of CT Smart Justice leader Manuel Sandoval faces the camera, standing and holding a framed collage commemorating his LCSW. he is wearing glasses and a blue people not prisons hoodie
Mar 03, 2023

Schools should be places of learning. Not places for policing.

It didn’t make any sense to me that at a place of learning where I wanted to be focused on my future, instead I was facing just another battle. Police in schools are pre-prepping young people to be traumatized and victimized when they’re just trying to be students.

By Terri Ricks

ACLU of CT Smart Justice leader Terri Ricks sits, smiling and facing the camera. She is wearing glasses and a blue people not prisons sweatshirt, in front of a yellow people not prisons sign.
Mar 03, 2023

I work with youth. We've got to divest from police in schools.

School counselors, behavior techs, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists are the right people to address the multitude of issues facing our young people, not an armed police presence.

By Manuel Sandoval

ACLU of Connecticut / ACLU-CT smart justice leader Manny rallies at UConn
Mar 03, 2023

Incarcerated workers are people. They should be paid fairly.

Workers in Connecticut prisons make only $.30 to $1.50 an hour. The legislature must change that.

By Manuel Sandoval

ACLU of Connecticut / CT Smart Justice rally outside gubernatorial debate in Hartford