News & Commentary

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
Sep 13, 2022

Get to Know the Candidates for Governor

Learn more about the candidates for governor in the ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC questionnaires.

In black, on a green background, is the ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC logo. A semi-circle with prongs, like a sun or crown, is on the left, over the "r" in "rise". Below, it says "ACLU of Connecticut PAC"
Sep 13, 2022

Introducing the ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC

Building the political power of people directly impacted by civil rights and liberties issues, to advance civil liberties and civil rights.

In black, on a green background, is the ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC logo. A semi-circle with prongs, like a sun or crown, is on the left, over the "r" in "rise". Below, it says "ACLU of Connecticut PAC"
May 11, 2022

Chief State’s Attorney finalists respond to Smart Justice survey

No matter what happens, we’re ready to keep advocating for the next Chief State’s Attorney to embrace their role in decreasing incarceration and racism in the criminal legal system.

By Claudine Constant, Gus Marks-Hamilton

Smart Justice leaders stand in front of the CT capitol. The sun is breaking through a cloud. One person stands with arms upstretched above their head, behind the people not prisons banner
May 10, 2022

CT Is About to Pick a New Chief State's Attorney. Smart Justice has questions.

We’re asking the three finalists to take our survey about their views on incarceration and racism.

By Claudine Constant, Gus Marks-Hamilton

ACLUCT Smart Justice leaders, in blue people not prisons shirts, crouch and stand with a massive red heart that says "strength" in white letters. Behind them is the CT capitol building. They are masked and raising their fists in celebration and power.